How good are grado cartridges

Yes indeed the other threads asking for an opinion about anything is an opinion. This in fact is true of professional reviews/evaluations as well.
How would any person know the true or even kind of true answer? Nevertheless, I read these opinions from the minds of persons who, don't know they don't know, and is only the random spew coming from a vacuous mind.
In fact we really should follow the phrase I started to use 30 years ago not here of course.
The best XXxxx in the one you like the best.
We could then elimnate all threads which don't ask for a non verified fact. Such as what cartridge(s) do you own. With anything non objective removed from the answer. And with a strong warning that the answer may be incorrect . Such as I own a Koestu blue eyed tiger, when the person actually has the least expensive Audio Technica one cartridge fits all model.

I think another way of looking at this kind of question is, does product XXX represent a good value or match for the system in question, hopefully based on past experience. I actually ran a Grado Sonato on a VPI HNW Mk II a few years back. Overall it's a good cartridge for the money, but it's not going to maximize the the potential of the Scoutmaster. If cost is a limiting factor, it might not be a bad place to start.

Not enough compliance for my taste. Try the Audio Technica AT 150MLX, a great cartridge on the JMW arm. I use with the Scoutmaster/JMW-Nordost wiring and the resolution is impressive. On this table/arm, the AT is very impressive...fragile needle if you are not attentive. Jallen

I was looking in the $600-$1000 range. I had a Shelter 501 MkII on it for a year before the cartridge failed. Axiss refused to warranty it so I won't deal with them anymore. One of the best sounding cartidges for the money. I had a Benz ruby II which sounded a bit thin and lacked dynamics. A bit overpriced but aren't they all. The dealer recommended the grado sonata but it seems I should go a different direction.

Snook2, if you could move to the wood bodied Grado Reference Reference ($1500 retail), that would be a nice improvement from the Shelter 501 MkII in respect to reproducing the natural timbre of acoustic instruments and tonal quality through the midrange. The Shelter may still be quicker and more detailed.

The Grado Sonata is a very nice cartridge as an alternative, but would probably not offer you a satisifying improvement over the Shelter 501 MkII. Although the Sonata has a lovely midrange and tonal balance, you are likely to find you've given up too much in resolution and quickness compared to what you were experiencing with the 501. The Shelter 501 is a good value and a very nice match in the VPI Scoutmaster tonearm -- very difficult to match, let alone beat, at its price point.
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