Lyra Delos vs Grado Statement Reference low output

Whether the Delos is too bright or the Grado too bass heavy and dull is largely dependent on taste and system balancing. Because I listen a lot to digital sources, as well as vinyl, I require a cartridge/phonostage combination that is most nearly matched, in terms of basic tonal balance, to digital sources. If the two are far apart, there is no way that a change in any other part of the chain can improve the sound of one without detracting from the other.

I think it would be harder to match the Grado with a phonostage to achieve a similar overall balance with digital sources than any Lyra cartridge. If one starts with the Grado and selects downstreamcomponents to complement the Grado sound, most digital sources would end up sounding lean and harmonically threadbare.

I also really wonder. I certain notice that the newer design cartridge tends to have more extended top, more detail and I think overall,actually more neutral than the older design cartridge. Some like it, some accuse the new design of being more digital like! Personally, I think this more digital like quality is not a bad thing. If the record contains all of these high frequency signal, why not play it. I don't think anyone is accusing Lyra or Air Tight of having hard, edgy, bright or whatever other digititis quality associating with digital gear but is simply not as roll off as some of the other cartridges.

Be careful on which turntable the Grado will be mounted. They have a tendency to HUMMMMMMMM

Susceptibility to hum has been greatly diminished with the advent of low 0.5mv output within the Statement 1 range.

I'm occasionally running a Grado Statement Master 1 after moving from a 5.0 mv Grado Sonata. The detail retrieval and high end end extension are better in the lower output version, but at a price. As the first poster Lloydc noted, it's hard to find a phono stage that works well with the low output Grados IMO. Even though it is rated at a .5 mv output, it seems to have less output and dynamics than my Ortofon Kontrapunkt H rated for the same output. I had to go through three phono stages before hitting on the RCM Sensor Prelude, which works well. The character of the rest of your system has a big influence on how well a Grado plays rock. My Tidal Piano Ceras and the Acoustic Signature Final Tool turntable greatly counterbalance the warm and slightly syrupy nature of the Grado. Bass on rock recordings slams with the Grado, nothing shabby about it at all to my ears. Obviously tastes and equipment partnering are a factor. Larryi's observations are on the mark. Hum was never a factor with high or low output Grados on either a VPI Scout or the Acoustic Signature tables.