Stylus 8MZ

On my main system, I have a Grado Master3 on a VPI Scout II…….wonderful sound.
So…for my living room system that I didn’t think was too revealing (Harman Kardon T60, Arcam integrated and some 1979 vintage Jensen System C orDahlquist DQM-7c or N.E.A.R 15M speakers) I used a Grado Green because I may be in other rooms, doing other things….and again…..didn’t think there would be much audible difference.
With all this, I noticed my turntable was sounding much warmer….a bit rolled off on top, not the best defined bass….compared to other sources.
So…..I really liked the Black/Green balance and sound overall (had tried Blue and Silver stylus before but actually prefer the black/green for the money).
But….after reading other reviews on the 8MZ, I was trying to decide if I should try Ortofon Red or Blue….or would the 8MZ make a bigger/better difference than the Silver.
I ordered the 8MZ.
The improvements start with a more neutral tonal balance…..less warmth through the whole bass/lower midgrange…..a bit more top end. In my system, now very neutral while still sounding Grado.
Most importantly….dynamics and transient attack are better. Albums have more rythm with drums standing out a bit better…..and faster attack to drums, cymbals and bass notes.
So, love the warm, pleasant, enjoyable, guilt-free-play-all-the-records-you-want $75 Green…….but the $175 8MZ does bring in more definition, dynamics, top end and more neutral blance…..

Warm, accurate, realistic. Everything I expected and paid for. Well worth it!

This is my first top quality Grado stylus and it sounds fantastic. I had a spare vintage XT+ cartridge that had a worn original stylus. The 8MZ got it back in the game big time.

Over the years I've upgraded my hi-fi set-up piece by piece, from turntable to speakers to receiver then pre-amp. I had a stock Grado Black cartridge on my U-turn and was considering upgrading the whole cartridge as my next upgrade until I discovered I could simply invest in a higher quality stylus instead. Of all of the aforementioned upgrades I've made over the years, none have done more to improve the overall sound of my system than putting this stylus on my Grado Black.

Great upgrade from the green stylus.