Grado Cartridges and Stylus - Questions and Advice.

AnthonyI said:
That damn Opus3, lol. While its not on my deck as often now a days, its never leaving my home. Like you it always found a way back on to the TT, lol. What I can share is this, I was kind of in the same circumstance and decided to reach out to Rich Grado and flat out ask him if the move up was worth it (Platinum3), would I gain some big sound jumps, also explaining that I really like how the Opus sounds. I'm paraphrasing a bit, but the nuts and bolts of his answer were that there would be an audible difference, but nothing that was going to blow your socks off, he also added, if you're happy with what the Opus is giving you, stick with it and enjoy the music.

So to that, I would say I agree with him. Unless you're looking to try something new, a different sound characteristic, then, I've always felt that you need to try another brand, or, move up more then one rung of the ladder of the current brand. I've tried a lot of carts and can tell you the vast majority sound great, it just boils down to personal preferences and budget.

I don't know if that helps or not, but thought it was worth sharing ;)
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Yeah, it does help.

My Opus is a high output. Now that I have the Insight, I'll probably just switch to a low output Opus since I have a preamp that can handle it. Or maybe ponder the Platinum for a little while lol. LO Platinum 3, I mean since I gotta trade in that would ease the price :)

I have 3 MCs floating around, and a damn drawerful of MMs I can throw on the table. I should just take a few years using those up. But that Opus just sounds RIGHT in a way the other stuff doesn't. I've spent some time playing with head shells, and that makes a difference on my table. The SL-1500 really likes a light shell, the lighter the better. I even found a light shell where the Opus doesn't jut way out in front of it, it lines up real nice for the 52mm Technics setup.

I really do like what the Opus gives me, though. I might make a little post in a couple weeks if I change to Platinum. I was pondering a Sonata, but I see above where HiFi Guy reports that isn't a nude anymore. That's a bummer.

Decisions, decisions...
 
AnthonyI said:
I was kind of in the same circumstance and decided to reach out to Rich Grado and flat out ask him if the move up was worth it (Platinum3), would I gain some big sound jumps, also explaining that I really like how the Opus sounds. I'm paraphrasing a bit, but the nuts and bolts of his answer were that there would be an audible difference, but nothing that was going to blow your socks off, he also added, if you're happy with what the Opus is giving you, stick with it and enjoy the music.
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Honestly, really cool of Rich. That's a very honest answer.
 
Anyone have first hand experience with the Opus and Platinum? With a code it’s $270 or $340 respectively. Curious if the Platinum is that much of a step up from the Opus? This would be a “fun” cart in my system.
 
ngower said:
Anyone have first hand experience with the Opus and Platinum? With a code it’s $270 or $340 respectively. Curious if the Platinum is that much of a step up from the Opus? This would be a “fun” cart in my system.
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I have the Platinum. Never had the Opus. It’s a great cart and I’ve had it for about 2 years now.
 
ngower said:
Anyone have first hand experience with the Opus and Platinum? With a code it’s $270 or $340 respectively. Curious if the Platinum is that much of a step up from the Opus? This would be a “fun” cart in my system.
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Opus and Sonata here, the gap between those two is evident. The Opus is a really nice "catch all", it plays everything well, tracks great and so on, the Sonata amplifies all that, but brings more detail, separation and balance.

Never had the Platinum, but my reason for skipping over it was to ensure a jump of some sort. That said, the Platinum has been solidly reviewed as a great buy with a great sound characteristic at $400. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these, it just depends on what you're looking for and your budget.

I've had the Opus since launch and the thought of getting rid of it has never crossed my mind, I've had the Sonata for just about a year and it's staying put as well. The only thing I'm pondering is adding an MC to the group, I'm kind of in a "bring back a few of my favorites" mode, so probably a Hana SL and a Goldring E4, loved the E3 as a "budget" cart :)
 
AnthonyI said:
Opus and Sonata here, the gap between those two is evident. The Opus is a really nice "catch all", it plays everything well, tracks great and so on, the Sonata amplifies all that, but brings more detail, separation and balance.

Never had the Platinum, but my reason for skipping over it was to ensure a jump of some sort. That said, the Platinum has been solidly reviewed as a great buy with a great sound characteristic at $400. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these, it just depends on what you're looking for and your budget.

I've had the Opus since launch and the thought of getting rid of it has never crossed my mind, I've had the Sonata for just about a year and it's staying put as well. The only thing I'm pondering is adding an MC to the group, I'm kind of in a "bring back a few of my favorites" mode, so probably a Hana SL and a Goldring E4, loved the E3 as a "budget" cart :)
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Grado do some kind of trade up right? Maybe I’ll start with the Opus and go up down the line?

My AT carts will be daily drivers sk
The Opus is just to add something fun to the rotation
 
ngower said:
Anyone have first hand experience with the Opus and Platinum? With a code it’s $270 or $340 respectively. Curious if the Platinum is that much of a step up from the Opus? This would be a “fun” cart in my system.
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Plenty of experience with both! IMO the Platinum is well worth the little extra coin. Does everything the Opus does, just better - smoother highs, rounder lows, more of that "woodiness" for lack of a more apt descriptor! Haha. Also even less IGD somehow. These 3rd gen Grado wood carts track wonderfully. You won't be disappointed with an Opus, but if it's in reach, I think you'll be very happy springing for a Platinum.
 
I have the Platinum 3 and have loved it. It is finally worn out after two years and I need to replace it. I have a backup cart for now, but for the trade in, does anyone have experience with the carts up the line? The Sonata, Master, or Reference? Not seeing a ton online.
 
kvetcha said:
Have you considered a retip?
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wmeugene said:
I have the Platinum 3 and have loved it. It is finally worn out after two years and I need to replace it. I have a backup cart for now, but for the trade in, does anyone have experience with the carts up the line? The Sonata, Master, or Reference? Not seeing a ton online.
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I've had the Sonata3 for a year, love it :)

That said, I went with the Sonata3 because I had an Opus3 and wanted to have a significant "upgrade" so to speak. So if you like the Platinum I'd probably stick with it. In talking to Rich, I don't know if you're gonna hear a $200 difference going to the Sonata3, but of course this is all subjective ;)
 
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