MC suggestions


I have long been a Grado fan.  Currently running a Statement Reference v2.  I love it, but.  I auditioned the Ortofon Quintet Black and the Dyna 17d3 and the Benz Glider and while each were excellent in their way, the overall feeling, despite being faster and transparent left me wanting, I was happy enough with my Grado. Id like to take another crack at this now. What I am looking for at this point and I hope you guys can make some suggestions, is a cleaner, and more live sound. This combined with a nice sense of space and width to the soundstage.  Is this asking a lot in my price range which is 2.5k(ish)?  I am of the opinion after spending sometime trying to figure this out, that an el34 based tube amp combined with the Grado cart are just too similar in voicing(warm).  I had hope that running a ss phono stage combined with the low output statement would be just the synergy.  It definitely moved the needle in the right direction and I could live happily if I didn't think I could push it a little farther in the detail direction without losing what I love about the Grado sound.  That is primarily it is not brittle, its natural sounding, nice soundstage all around.  Perhaps if I had solid state amplification it would be a synergistic match made in heaven.  Some carts I have been thinking about are VAS, Miyajima, Dyna(I did really like the 10x5 I listened to at one point).  Not to rule out Lyra but would be worried about the thinness I've read about from some users.  Grado fans seem a little few and far between and I wonder if there are previous fans who have moved on.  Maybe I just need to have a couple carts around and their is no one right cart. I have hesitated pursuing a cart change because my system has been tuned to Grado's sound but if I can get close with another company making MC's that wouldn't call for recalibrating my rig that much would be great.  Thanks for reading and sorry to be so long winded.
128x128fourwnds
@fourwnds 
I'm wondering how you loaded you Grado Statement Reference? The low output Statement series needs to be loaded at 47k, just like the high output Reference series. I hope I got that one right, as Grado surely has the most confusing nomenclature in all of audio.

I owned a Statement v1 (or should that be a Statement Statement?). This system had a gorgeous tonality which I liked quite alot. But my current MC phono amp has 1000 ohm as the highest load for MC. In this setting the Statement sounds somewhat dark and lifeless, just as you described. So you really need to load it at 47k to hear it as intended.

That said, if you want to try a new low output low impedance MC I suggest you try Phasemation. The PP-300 at ca. $1800 and the PP-500 at ca. $2500 are within your price range. This recommendation is based on my experience with the P-3G (predecessor of the PP-300), which can compete nicely with much more expensive systems.
It is both heavy and low compliance, so it prefers a heavy gun (i.e. a relatively high effective mass tonearm). Mounted on the FR-64fx it delivers a wonderfully rich tonality and refinement within a powerful and lively presentation. The very high mass FR-64S is an even better companion.

I just purchased a Kiseki Blue after auditioning cartridges at my local dealer. They recommend four different cartridges that they thought would work well with my system. They mounted the ones that weren't already on demo turntables and we compared, with the Kiseki coming out on top in my opinion due to its clarity, depth and warmth.

Grado is a brand they carry but was not one they recommended for my price point and equipment which is Atma-Sphere, Wilson Audio and REL
@edgewear 

I worked with Bill at LKV to get the gain at 47k up to wear it needed to be to support a 1mv output from my Statement Reference v.2 

Didn't mean to imply it was dark and lifeless necessarily, it certainly is not that.  But, I want more ya know.  Thank you for your suggestion of the Phasemation, they are new to me!

@audiorusty. That is really nice gear you have and I'm not surprised that Grado wasn't recommended.  It does seem like MC's are the default.  Maybe for good reason, although given my experience up to this point  I don't get it.  But, I'm willing to try again at a higher price point and maybe that is where I'll find myself coming around.

Thanks again everybody, this is all very helpful and FUN!
@johnss 

would suggest you change the load resistors from metal film to Vishay bulk Foil. no comparison. the noise floor will drop and micro detail will come through in spades without any sort of frequency balance changes.

Absolutely, i have replaced stock resistors in various phono stages and the Vishay Naked Foid are superb ! I bought mine from the US manufacturer directly: texas components they are offering all values. Mine were 47k and 100k for MM input. Good service!