Quote Originally Posted by Enochrome View Post
I just repurchased a Grado Blue for dirt cheap and I have to say that I am not impressed. The mids are good but muddied. The bass is really the deal here. The soundstage is not good and that comment about it fills the space in the middle is mularky; it just has a crap soundstage. I do like the cohesiveness but it can't overcome the fact that it sacrifices dynamics. It tracks well until you get to the last track of any record. I have heard the new stylus relieves this and that is true, but the older styli are garbage. It has the analogue richness which is a nice aspect that mc's lack for the most part, but if that is paramount to anyone than any Nagaoka will serve that better. I am now on the hunt for a great deal on a Nagaoka, but I have never gotten a definitive answer on their compliance.
Wow! Have not heard the Blue, but the Red is not bad for an entry level cart. I hate to ask, but have you went back over the carts set up? The Mids should not be muddied, and the sound stage is great with the Red....and great front to back depth is very much heard in certain recordings. Sounds like your set up may be off a bit. What phono amp are you using? Make sure its set to MM and not MC. I have a new cart coming with a phono preamp, and I can pass the Red on to you after I get permission from the fine gentlemen who passed it on to me. After you dial it in correctly the Grado Red is great!