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Grado Cartridge questions.....

I drive me Vandersteen 1C's with a Rogue Audio Cronus integrated amp (EL-34 tubes) and an NAD 533/Goldring Elektra (basically, a Rega Planar 2) front end. The table is plugged directly into the amp's phono input (built-in MM phono stage). The music sounds lovely, but..... I want to improve my analog set-up (the usual "upgrade itch").

I have heard that the Grado wood body cartridges match very well with my Vandy's and my amplifier. Most of my LP listening is "classic acoustic small ensemble" jazz (Miles, 'Trane, Rollins, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, Brubeck, Peterson, Lester Young, Hawkins, Messengers, Horace Silver, MJQ, etc.) So, finally, here are my questions :

1. Grado Platinum vs. Grado Sonata ?? The $200 difference is affordable.....is it worth it ?

2. Platnum/Sonata Reference vs. Platinum/Sonata Statement ??........The higher output Reference series would allow me to use my current built-in phono stage, whereas I would need an outboard phono stage (and the necessary issues of stage and interconnect decisions) for the Statement series. What's your opinion ??

3. What $ 1000 - $1500 table/arm combo to drive the cartridge ??... Rega ?, Project ?, SOTA ?, Music Hall ?....

I'd really appreciate your feelings and advice. Thanks, and Happy Listening !!
adam18
photon46
1,076 posts
 
I think Stringreen is giving good advice. The Grado/Vandersteen combo has the potential to be a bit too polite and rolled off. Another cartridge I happen to like would be a Goldring 1042, or even better, a Reson Reca. TNT-Audio.com has reviews of these two and I share the reviewer's opinions.
adam18 OP
670 posts
 
Thanks for all the responses so far. Okay, so let's assume I go for the Grado Reference Sonata (there just seems to be something very cool about buying an audio product from Brooklyn, New York, from a family owned company that's been in the audio business forever). What's your recommendation for a turntable/tonearm combo in the $ 1000 - 1500 range that will mate well with the cartridge ? I'm assuming that any Rega rig will cause the Grado to produce too much "hum." So how about a table with an outboard motor ?
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,305 posts
 
I owned a Grado Sonata 4.5 and it is very nice but a bit lush in bass response as is the Vandersteen and Rogue if they follow their 'house' sounds
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Adam18, fwiw, I lived very happily for many years with Grado Sonata/Reference cartridges and Vandersteen 2C speakers with a VPI HW-19 turntable. (Prior to that the speakers were Celestion SL700s, perhaps even more "polite" on top but more resolving).

On acoustic music the Grados and Vandersteens were a great combination, with very natural reproduction of the timbre of the instruments. Yes, some of the very top might be a bit rolled off, but the midrange was wonderful and one could listen for hours without fatigue. Your Vandersteen 1C speakers are more neutral, with a more extended top, than the 2Cs I had, so the match might be even better.
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adam18 OP
670 posts
 
Wow, thanks a lot guys........I really appreciate all the input. It seems like Grado and Vandersteen, the meeting of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, will work very well for me. To my ears, beautiful midrange and natural timbre are much more important attributes than the slight drawbacks of extreme top end roll-off or a bit of bass lushness. So now, which table should I use to drive Sonata Reference ? Music Hall MMF-7 and VPI Scout are two good choices....what else should I consider ?? Anything from SOTA, Project, or Clearaudio ?? Thanks a lot, and Happy Listening to all.
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