Post by Graham on May 11, 2018 21:20:49 GMT 12
I seem to have an attraction to unusual cartridges. A recent turntable purchase ( Thorens of course ) included a vintage Grace F 8 C Custom cartridge. Unfortunately it was minus stylus and I have discovered these are as rare as hens teeth. This an earlier relative to the legendary F 9 E with a similar band of followers and fans. I have put enquiries out on a couple of forums to try and locate a stylus either genuine old stock or an alternative that may be possible to adapt. In the mean time it is a rather attractive paper weight. 
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Post by Owen Y on May 14, 2018 15:29:55 GMT 12
The F8 came with various stylus options, eg conical, elliptical... Not sure, but I read that they were made by Sumiko & that the Sumiko Pearl/BlackPearl stylus fits. 
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Post by michaelw on May 14, 2018 16:54:10 GMT 12
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Post by guitardude on May 14, 2018 17:28:56 GMT 12
I think Soundsmith in the US were doing Stylii for the 9, not sure about the 8 but could be worth an email ? Audio Dynamics in Melbourne could be worth a crack too.
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Post by Graham on May 14, 2018 21:46:55 GMT 12
Thanks guys. Unfortunately f9 cartridges will not fit on the F8C due to the stepped in front profile.
I've found a Sony stylus that looks promising.
Cheers
Graham
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Post by Owen Y on May 14, 2018 21:49:06 GMT 12
An 'E' stylus type is what you'd want IMO.
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Post by Graham on May 17, 2018 14:03:34 GMT 12
Ladies and gentlemen ( drum roll ) I have just found an almost perfect replacement stylus for the grace F8C cartridge. It is a Sony ND150G which fits so well you would think it was made for the job. Same 1.8mm square shank and cantilever angle, and I must presume the magnet is in the same position as it plays beautifully. OK it is only a spherical diamond ( so is my Denon DL103 ! ) but it sounds very sweet with nice tone and wide sound stage with just a rough and ready set up to test it. I'm starting to see why these vintage Grace cartridges have such an enthusiastic fan base.
   
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Post by michaelw on May 17, 2018 16:15:22 GMT 12
win !
funny how some 8's have enclosed lugs for the mounting bolts and others are open-sided.
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