Since I got it I've been trying to finalize a cartridge for my RP10. It's utterly neutral sound and revealing nature doesn't suit a lot of the carts I've happily employed in the past. So far the best candidate I've found is the Grado Prestige Green II. It's a lovely musical combo which does just about everything right. Full and sweet tonality, tight rhythmic ability and loads of detail. It beats any combination of arm and cart I had on an LP12.
I could live with it but there are a couple of areas I'd like to see improvements on, without losing what I have now. The Grado Green is somewhat limited dynamically. Not chronically so but at higher volume to notice it. It also rolls of at both ends. To be honest, the treble roll off doesn't bother me much at all, it's a benefit on a lot of records, but I wouldn't mind more bass extension.
I'm not totally convinced by Grado's cartridge range structure. They seem to build more or less the same cart then sell the better samples for more with a different name. Also suspicious of the absence of anything resembling a clever stylus profile, I feel that might tell you something about their business philosophy.
The absence of shielding means their lower output carts are probably out, the Green picks up hum at the very end of the side but not enough to be a problem. So the question I have is, what other carts have the nice, liquid midband and fullness of the Grado but are a bit more complete in their abilities? So far the brand catching my eye is Soundsmith but I'm really looking for suggestions here?
Thank you :0)
I could live with it but there are a couple of areas I'd like to see improvements on, without losing what I have now. The Grado Green is somewhat limited dynamically. Not chronically so but at higher volume to notice it. It also rolls of at both ends. To be honest, the treble roll off doesn't bother me much at all, it's a benefit on a lot of records, but I wouldn't mind more bass extension.
I'm not totally convinced by Grado's cartridge range structure. They seem to build more or less the same cart then sell the better samples for more with a different name. Also suspicious of the absence of anything resembling a clever stylus profile, I feel that might tell you something about their business philosophy.
The absence of shielding means their lower output carts are probably out, the Green picks up hum at the very end of the side but not enough to be a problem. So the question I have is, what other carts have the nice, liquid midband and fullness of the Grado but are a bit more complete in their abilities? So far the brand catching my eye is Soundsmith but I'm really looking for suggestions here?
Thank you :0)
