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Grado Stylus Upgrade

I have an old Thorens turn table that I play through a Rega Elicit. I replaced the old cartridge years ago. Went with the cheapest I could find at the time(Grado Black). I don't remember what I had before, but it sounded much better than the Grado.

My question: Will upgrading to a nicer Grado stylus (Red or Silver) be a big jump up in sound? Or should I look into something else? Not wanting to spend more than $250 or so right now.
lang76
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
There are also many MM cartridges that will better the performance of a Grado Black. Many also have more advanced stylus profiles. The Black's stylus has the subtlety of a brick, I've seen knitting needles with finer points. ;-)

Check out Raul's endless (11K posts and counting) thread on MM vs. MC for recommendations.
banerjba
82 posts
 
When you say the old cartridge sounded better, in what sense?

I owned the Grado and Thorens combo played through a Rega Elex and it sounded a bit overly warm and lethargic with my vintage B&W speakers. all good components bult too much of a good thing.

I think my old Thorens came OE with an At95e which was cleaner and more precise sounding. I love the Grado sound but it works better on my Technics 1200 than my Thorens. I would get a cleaner tighter cartridge like the Ortofon 2M series or even an MC as others have suggested.
lang76 OP
26 posts
 
Thanks for all the advise.
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