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Grado Timbre Series Reference 3 on The Way!

72.197.10.12
Posted on September 28, 2022 at 16:36:58
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4574
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 I want to try one of the Grado upper end Cartridges and this seems to be what I'm after.

I had a TOTL Grado cartridge way back when I first got my LP12 in the mid 90's. It was very quiet and sound really nice but hummed due to the motor and PCB on the LP12. They gave me a Benz Miro Glider which was nice but I was missing the sound of the Grado.

I have been wanting to try another Grado and since I have the Teres with Motor Pod, I pulled the trigger today on the Grado Timbre series Reference 3. I have been hearing a lot of good things about this cartridge and a good deal came up so I snagged it.

I will report back once I have it mounted on my table with ET-2 arm.

Should be a nice compliment with my other carts.

Shelter 901 (Original)
ART9 (original)
Art9 XI
Sumiko Amethyst


 

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RE: Grado Timbre Series Reference 3 on The Way!, posted on September 29, 2022 at 15:09:22
wsill
Audiophile

Posts: 112
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Joined: January 4, 2002
 Hello,
I have the Reference 3 on my VPI 12.5, TNT table. It is very detailed yet never harsh or overdone in treble. The bass is big and tight. I took a chance buying it, but had proved so far to be just great. I was previously using Dynavector XX 2, DV 20 L, Denon 103R. The Grado adds no edge, sounds less detailed than the XX2, until you realize that detail is an added edge to the lp.
Difficult to setup and align, hard to see the cantilever and stylus. The entire stylus buried deep behind the front of the cartridge. My Grado probably not broken in yet.
Let me/us know your findings as well.
Bill

 

RE: Wonderful Cartridge, posted on September 29, 2022 at 21:20:39
thegage
Audiophile

Posts: 1157
Location: Western Mass.
Joined: April 29, 2000
 On my VPI Classic Signature with 12" Fatboy Gimbal I've had Dynavector XX2 MK2, 20x2L, VAS Ebony 103, a Benz Ebony L and Soundsmith The Voice, but much prefer the Grado. It was neck-and-neck with the Voice, as that cartridge revealed things about the music on my LPs that I never noticed before, but I could never eliminate the last bit of sibilance. The Grado Ref3 just sounds more organic and engaging. I've got about 200 hours on mine and it seems to keep improving, or maybe I'm just appreciating it more.

I'd love to hear the Ref3 with the ET arm, as I've had three over the years on TNTs.

You may or may not have some hum. I did not with my first Ref3, but when it was replaced under warranty (the plastic saddle broke) the new one has a very tiny bit, not surprising given the location of the Classic motor. I suspect if your Teres pod is far enough away you will have no issues.

JohnK

 

RE: Grado Timbre Series Reference 3 on The Way!, posted on September 30, 2022 at 02:24:39
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4574
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 wsill, Can't wait to get mine and set it up. As for setup, the alignment should not be to bad using the ET-2 setup jig and cartridge alignment tool due to it being different from the normal Pivot alignment tools.

Thanks for the info.

Steve

 

RE: Wonderful Cartridge, posted on September 30, 2022 at 02:40:09
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4574
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 thegage, I can see how the how the SoundSmith The Voice and The Reference 3 sound similar due to them both being MI cartridges.

I'm now listening to slower types of music like guitar and piano like Charlie Byrd, Pat Metheny, Earl Klugh. For Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, and others so it seems like the Grado Reference 3 will fit the bill!

When I had my Grado years back it was mounted on an Akito II arm. Now this will be the first time me using a Grado on the ET-2 arm so it should be a good match.

My motor pod for the Teres is way out of the way from the table so the Grado should be safe from any hum.

If this Reference 3 works out, I may be willing to go up to the Statement since this will be my few last cartridge purchases along with a better upper Phono Preamp like the SPL Phonos.

 

I used a Trans-Fi Terminator arm for about 10 years., posted on September 30, 2022 at 04:09:39
ghost of olddude55
Audiophile

Posts: 32545
Joined: July 14, 2017
 Made my own alignment tool from a wooden ruler, one of the kind that has inches on one side and millimeters on the other with a black line dividing them.
Drilled a spindle-sized hole dead center in the black line, made a couple of reference marks on the TT's plinth. Pretty easy to set zero overhang that way.



The blissful counterstroke-a considerable new message.

 

RE: Grado Timbre Series Reference 3 on The Way!, posted on September 30, 2022 at 04:58:53
spindoctor
Audiophile

Posts: 1661
Location: Virginia
Joined: December 31, 2002
 I look forward to your review. I've used Grado wood bodies for what seems forever. My main system is a Grado Statement. I find it engaging and listenable with nice detail and great soundstage.

Sim

 

It should be here Monday, posted on October 1, 2022 at 07:59:58
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4574
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 and I will try to have it mounted up during the week if time permits or I will have to wait until the weekend.

Hopefully to give some feedback soon.

 

Have any of the owners..., posted on October 1, 2022 at 08:03:36
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4574
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 of the Grado cartridges in the Timbre series or upper have to play around with the load settings to get it to sound nice or just the straight 47K? I saw that Grado recommends 10K-47K loading. Any suggestions on that?

 

RE: Have any of the owners..., posted on October 3, 2022 at 05:38:47
Chuck
Audiophile

Posts: 816
Joined: August 22, 2000
 My Statement 1 sounds lovely at 47k ohms as recommended. I haven't felt the need to fiddle with the load. I'll be curious to hear what others say. And, btw, I love the Grado wood body carts. Just amazingly right.

 

RE: Have any of the owners..., posted on October 3, 2022 at 16:17:12
thegage
Audiophile

Posts: 1157
Location: Western Mass.
Joined: April 29, 2000
 I haven't fiddled with loading, but I did try it into a VAS SUT at the low gain setting. Worked fine, but lost something in the change--maybe it was the cables, as I didn't have a decent additional pair. One reviewer said he got best results running it into the MC input of the phono stages he had, with loading at 47k. I'm trying that now. Seems positive in terms of opening up things a bit more, but I don't know why it should matter.

JohnK

 

That guy was running a..., posted on October 3, 2022 at 22:53:49
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4574
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 4.0mV cartridge into the MC side of a phono Preamp?

 

I will start there...., posted on October 3, 2022 at 22:55:04
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4574
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 and see how it sounds before trying a lower load.

 

RE: That guy was running a..., posted on October 4, 2022 at 08:10:29
thegage
Audiophile

Posts: 1157
Location: Western Mass.
Joined: April 29, 2000
 The Ref3 is available in high and low output versions. The low is, what, 1mv? That fits fine with the low gain setting on many MC stages.

JohnK

 

My Bad! I forgot about the 1mV cartridges., posted on October 4, 2022 at 17:53:01
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4574
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 I wonder how that would sound.

 

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