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First gen grado ref sonata vs grado reference platinum 1

162.237.197.62
Posted on August 22, 2014 at 21:58:07
g_greenamyer@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 217
Joined: August 9, 2003
which is a better cartridge? I can get a grado reference sonta first gen with 50 hrs on it for $250.00,private party or new
grado reference platinum 1, newest version for
$350.00.
turntable is vpi nomad with grado rs2i headphones which appeare to have the red e series drivers.
can't afford grado ref sonata 1, $600.00 new.Listen to all types of music.
ger.

 

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RE: First gen grado ref sonata vs grado reference platinum 1, posted on August 23, 2014 at 04:52:31
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2446
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 Go for the new Reference Platinum. The original Sonata has not been made for years ( I had one over 15 years ago). How can it be proved that the one you can get has only 50 hours on it! When it comes to cartridges you are safer going new. That's just my opinion.

 

Neither. I had a Statement Platinum and could never get it to sing. Sold it., posted on August 23, 2014 at 06:23:08
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014
 The was on a VPI Scout (original) with JMW-9 arm. For the Nomad,you are better off with one of the Ortofon 2Ms. I like the Blue best.





Opus 33 1/3

 

RE: First gen grado ref sonata vs grado reference platinum 1, posted on August 23, 2014 at 08:27:38
majick47
Audiophile

Posts: 799
Location: Pembroke MA
Joined: June 27, 2006
 Suggest the OP do a little more research, I believe the Sonata 1 is roughly 5 years in production not 15. You can call Grado to confirm it, I forget if the cartridges are numbered but if so Grado should be able to tell you how old it is. Not unusuall for people to have low hour cartridges in excellent shape that saw little use. I'd go with the older Sonata over the Platinum 1, read the reviews. I purchased a low hour preowned Sonata 1 and wasn't disappointed, the Sonata is the better of the two Grados.

 

RE: Neither. I had a Statement Platinum and could never get it to sing. Sold it., posted on August 23, 2014 at 08:29:52
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2446
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 What does that have to do with the OP's question about buying used?

 

RE: First gen grado ref sonata vs grado reference platinum 1, posted on August 23, 2014 at 08:38:36
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2446
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 I bought the first gen Sonata back in 1997. The Op did not say Sonata 1.

 

RE: Neither. I had a Statement Platinum and could never get it to sing. Sold it., posted on August 23, 2014 at 09:13:19
peteSF
 I had a statement sonata on my scout/jmw-9 and it was spectacular.

check your spam folder, I emailed you yesterday . . .

 

It's called an alternative . . . at lower cost than he quoted., posted on August 23, 2014 at 09:13:24
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014
 Got a problem with that?





Opus 33 1/3

 

What address? The Yahoo one is no longer valid. /nt\, posted on August 23, 2014 at 09:14:28
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014




Opus 33 1/3

 

RE: What address? The Yahoo one is no longer valid. /nt\, posted on August 23, 2014 at 09:27:23
peteSF
 went thru the asylum portal

 

Just changed my profile today. Might want to resend. /nt\, posted on August 23, 2014 at 09:29:54
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014




Opus 33 1/3

 

RE: First gen grado ref sonata vs grado reference platinum 1, posted on August 23, 2014 at 09:56:35
majick47
Audiophile

Posts: 799
Location: Pembroke MA
Joined: June 27, 2006
 BCR maybe my reply wasn't all that clear but I still suggest the OP goes with the earlier preowned low hour version of the Sonata for $250. I understand that the newer version, the Sonata 1, has some "updates" but I doubt they are all that substantial from the earlier version.

 

RE: It's called an alternative . . . at lower cost than he quoted., posted on August 23, 2014 at 10:43:18
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2446
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 I have no problem,but the topic was Grado!

 

RE: First gen grado ref sonata vs grado reference platinum 1, posted on August 23, 2014 at 11:26:10
SgreenP@MSN.com
Audiophile

Posts: 3538
Joined: April 23, 2007
 I had many Grados....knew Joe personally. Spent many hours in his Westfield, NJ home/lab....but to be honest I didn't like the Sonata low output I had.... Seemed brown in color, and surprisingly not musical.

 

RE: First gen grado ref sonata vs grado reference platinum 1, posted on August 23, 2014 at 12:39:42
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2446
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 Majick47, I agree with you about the Sonata. I was just saying that many of these so-called low hour older cartridges usually have many more hours on them than quoted by the seller. The only Grado's with dates on them are the older plastic body ones not the wood body type. Which would you rather a Sonata with a 1000 hours on it or a brand new Platinum? The damage you could do to your vinyl with one of these old clunkers to me is not worth the chance.

 

Overall which cartridge is better sonically?, posted on August 24, 2014 at 12:43:04
g_greenamyer@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 217
Joined: August 9, 2003
 So everything being equal which cartridge is sonically better overall?

 

RE: Overall which cartridge is better sonically?, posted on August 28, 2014 at 14:00:46
majick47
Audiophile

Posts: 799
Location: Pembroke MA
Joined: June 27, 2006
 I did some research reading posts/threads both here on AA and other audio sites and I came to the conclusion from multiple sources that the Sonata was markedly better than the Platinum. Like I said prior the Sonata 1 has some changes/improvements but these shouldn't be anything night and day over the original Sonata. As someone who was very familiar with all the Grado cartridges said the Sonata was the sweet spot in the Grado line for price/performance.

 

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