This is what I found, FWIW

Posted by Frank E (A) on January 31, 2006 at 15:08:16

In Reply to: REVIEW: Grado Prestige Series Gold Phono Cartridge posted by shermanr@prw.net on January 31, 2006 at 11:28:49:

Inner-groove distortion causing such things as sibilence, channel imbalances and lack of detail used to bug me with my Grado Black.

Determined to get to the bottom of it (no pun intended), this is what I found:

1. It is essential that the horizontal tracking be perfectly tangential at the very inner-most grooves of the record (not further out), leaving alignment on the outer grooves to fall where it may if both nulls cannot be accurately achieved. This is will minimize inner groove distortion with no audible increase in outer groove distortion as the cartridge doesn't seem to be that fussy on the outer grooves.
2. The azimuth must be accurately set. Even slightly off can cause channel imbalance, distortion & lack of detail.
3. The VTA is critical. I have found tail down somewhat to give the best balance of tone and detail with minimal distortion.
4. The VTF makes a difference as well. Although Grado specs the center of the range at 1.5g, I've found as high as 1.9 is required for good tracking. This setting is probably dependent on the type of tonearm.
5. The turntable mat makes a huge difference. To my ear the None-felt is the best of the minimal number I've tried. Platter resonance is nearly eliminated (another source of siblence), allowing numerous aspects of the music to be left intact, which would otherwise be distorted or hidden.

The above notes highlight some of the settings to which I found the Grado was especially sensitive. I'm no guru, so these issues will appear mundane to many who read this, but perhaps someone may overlook these particular steps thinking the cartridges are so cheap that it's not so necessary to be as fussy in the setup.

Now that my cheap Grado is properly setup I have found it to be a exceptional performer at the price, at least compared to the carts and on the tables I've tried. The Grado Red should be even better?

(Slightly modified and reposted)

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - REVIEW: Grado Prestige Series Gold Phono Cartridge - shermanr@prw.net 11:28:49 01/31/06 (5)

This is what I found, FWIW - Frank E 01/31/0615:08:16 01/31/06 (0)

BTW on the Grados... - matt67bianco 13:15:09 01/31/06 (0)

How was the Grado Gold on sibilance?? - matt67bianco 12:58:55 01/31/06 (2)

Just curious - unclestu52 10:10:07 02/1/06 (1)

Overhang Tool came with my Technics... - matt67bianco 20:29:12 02/1/06 (0)

Follow Ups

This is what I found, FWIW - Frank E 01/31/0615:08:16 01/31/06 (0)

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