Grado Sonata 1 Low Output

[JohnMichael]

Dang Boyeee! Now ya talking!...(I assume you are talking about the music being good chit?)

Yes the music and the wine. It has been a few decades since I had some good chit. No point going to Amsterdam except for the Rembrandt museum.

[frenchmon]

Yes the music and the wine. It has been a few decades since I had some good chit. No point going to Amsterdam except for the Rembrandt museum.

Yeah I feel ya on that one....last time I had some good chit was 1989....so its been a while.

[JohnMichael]

I keep pulling out the vinyl. Last night I was listening to a variety of music. What impressed me last night was Cleo Laine's "Return to Carnegie Hall". At the end of one song she hits a very high note that on some cartridges it was tough to determine if it was her voice or the horns. Last night it was obvious which were her high notes. Her notes were obviously human and distinct from the horns. She hits a high note and then the next note is higher and then she goes even higher. Wow even more impressive through the Grado.

[JohnMichael]

The Grado is still singing sweetly. I removed the 2mm spacer to see how it would sound and I was surprised. Without the spacer I did not notice any great change in balance but a greater depth to the soundstage. The tymapni and bass drums in the Telarc "Rite of Spring" Cleveland Orchestra were both further back and more focused. I would also have to say the bass was a little fuller and more rounded in tone. Of course along with this change was my returning to the Funk Firm Achroplat which also improved the bass power.

[dean_martin]

The Grado is still singing sweetly. I removed the 2mm spacer to see how it would sound and I was surprised. Without the spacer I did not notice any great change in balance but a greater depth to the soundstage. The tymapni and bass drums in the Telarc "Rite of Spring" Cleveland Orchestra were both further back and more focused. I would also have to say the bass was a little fuller and more rounded in tone. Of course along with this change was my returning to the Funk Firm Achroplat which also improved the bass power.

John, this is a little off topic but your post reminded me of something I've been meaning to ask about. What has more effect on soundstage depth - source, speakers, speaker placement, amplifier or something else?

[JohnMichael]

John, this is a little off topic but your post reminded me of something I've been meaning to ask about. What has more effect on soundstage depth - source, speakers, speaker placement, amplifier or something else?

I think it can be any component. Speakers have been designed with a slight recess to give the impression of more depth. I think vinyl does depth and ambience much better than cd. VTA helped with depth presentation of the Grado. Too much toe-in can exaggerate depth. I think better electronics have better soundstage presentation. When you are sitting in your chair with eyes closed and the soundfield sounds larger than your room that is the magic of 2 channel.

[JohnMichael]

Oh and a good recording that captures ambiance and depth. Usually one that is minimally miked.