Recommendations for tonearm for Grace F9U

[Hose53]

Hi all,
Hope I am asking this correctly!
What tonearm would be a good match for a Grace F9U cartridge?
It will be going onto this AR ES-1. I could stay with the current arm or move to a different arm.
Vinylengine lists the cartridge mass as 6g, and dynamic compliance at 12 x 10-6 cm/Dyne.
Don't want to go crazy on the price
Thank you !

 

[Hose53]

Still searching
Has anyone had experience pairing a Grace F9U with the Grace 707 tonearm?
What are your thoughts?
Other combinations I have found are the F9U with RB300, looks like it requires shims.
SME and Jilco have also been mentioned

 

[Grenadeslio]

Still searching
Has anyone had experience pairing a Grace F9U with the Grace 707 tonearm?
What are your thoughts?
Other combinations I have found are the F9U with RB300, looks like it requires shims.
SME and Jilco have also been mentioned

Currently running a Grace F8-L10' cartridge with the stylus from my F8-C Custom. Also have the Advanced Luminal Trace stylus for the Anniversary edition F8-L10' but enjoying the above combo.

The Grace is installed on my Grace G707 arm/ Kenwood KD500 table and the synergy of installing a cartridge on the arm it was designed for really is something.

With the Advanced Luminal Trace stylus

 

[Hose53]

Hmmm, so here I am also with a KD-500 sporting a 707 arm and considering that as an option, move the 707 from the KD-500 to the AR ES-1.
So maybe research the Grace combination on an ES-1 is something to consider.

 

[Hose53]

Currently running a Grace F8-L10' cartridge with the stylus from my F8-C Custom. Also have the Advanced Luminal Trace stylus for the Anniversary edition F8-L10' but enjoying the above combo.

The Grace is installed on my Grace G707 arm/ Kenwood KD-500 table and the synergy of installing a cartridge on the arm it was designed for really is something.

With the Advanced Luminal Trace stylus
View attachment 1394241

Thank you for your feedback, I saw some of your comments from last year regarding this combination. The ES-1 is currently with Marc where he'll be upgrading the springs.
The 707 is on the KD-500 currently getting some work done for variable speed issue.
I doubt any work has been done on it so other than a trip back to MI to retrieve it I could do this.
Then have to replace the arm on the KD-500 or find a 707 to put on the ES-1.
Definitely something to consider!

 

[Grenadeslio]

The 500 is the better table. I also own an AR XA, there really is no competition here. Sure with some modifications the AR can be improved (what table can't be?), but even with an upgraded arm the little AR that could, couldn't. It was my favorite table for decades, even beating out my Thorens, but my two big Kennys are currently in rotation.

 

[Grenadeslio]

My AR is currently with one of my son's, here are pics with the improved arm. Used different cartridges, the Grado worked great with the original arm also. Currently has one of my Pickerings installed.

 

[Hose53]

Much to consider!
I'm liking the Grace arm and cartridge combination on both! Also have an F-8 that could go to the Grace on the 500 and eventually find a Grace to put on the ES-1.
At some point may have to decide on what to keep. Between my Linn, a Rega Planar 3, KD-550 and 500 thent eh ES-1 and AR XB I will take my time deciding.
Then again maybe I don't!

 

[marcmorin]

Currently running a Grace F8-L10' cartridge with the stylus from my F8-C Custom. Also have the Advanced Luminal Trace stylus for the Anniversary edition F8-L10' but enjoying the above combo.

The Grace is installed on my Grace G707 arm/ Kenwood KD500 table and the synergy of installing a cartridge on the arm it was designed for really is something.

With the Advanced Luminal Trace stylus
View attachment 1394241

the 8 series of Grace cartridges show a much more compliant suspension than the 9 series. where the 8 will perform well in a light arm such as the 707, a compliance of 12 for the 9 series would be not such a great match.

 

[majick47]

Back when the Kenwood KD-500 was new and very popular the Grace 707 tonearm was frequently the TA of choice and the Grace cartridges were also highly popular combination for their superior sound quality. My guess is Grace had their own tonearms in mind when they designed their line of cartridges. I'v also run Grace cartridges on Technics tonearms with excellent results.

 

[Balifly]

the 8 series of Grace cartridges show a much more compliant suspension than the 9 series. where the 8 will perform well in a light arm such as the 707, a compliance of 12 for the 9 series would be not such a great match.

Some of the Grace stylus:

Grace 9 E - 25×10-6cm/dyne Needle RS-9E
Grace 9 F - 25×10-6cm/dyne Needle RS-9F
Grace 9 D - 25×10-6cm/dyne Needle RS-9D (0.65mil)
Grace 9 U - 25×10-6cm/dyne Needle RS-9U

Grace 9 L - 20×10-6cm/dyne Needle RS-9L

Grace 9 P - 10×10-6cm/dyne Needle tip 0.65 mil

Those were the different Grace 9 needles.

 

[marcmorin]

Some of the

Grace 9 E - 25×10-6cm/dyne Needle RS-9E
Grace 9 F - 25×10-6cm/dyne Needle RS-9F
Grace 9 D - 25×10-6cm/dyne Needle RS-9D (0.65mil)
Grace 9 U - 25×10-6cm/dyne Needle RS-9U

Grace 9 L - 20×10-6cm/dyne Needle RS-9L

Grace 9 P - 10×10-6cm/dyne Needle tip 0.65 mil

Those were the different Grace 9 needles.

this is the data I could find

F-9 U

add a review
Type
Moving Magnet
Output Voltage
mV
Freq Response
10Hz - 45kHz
Tracking Force
1.2 g
Mass
6 g
Channel Separation
28 dB
Channel Balance
1 dB
Load Impedance
47k Ω
Output Impedance
1700 Ω
Stylus
RS-9U
Stylus Tip
Line Contact
Cantilever
Low Mass Alloy
Dynamic Compliance
12 x 10-6cm/Dyne
Static Compliance
Price
$170
Notes
2 ch/4 ch Matrix/ 4ch Discrete w/utility stylus

 

[Hose53]

I'm thinking something radical for the ES-1 with respect to the plinth and the mesquite I have!

 

[Hose53]

Thank you Marc and Balifly!
Here is a thought, Grace F8 with the 707 on the ES-1 or get a different arm to go with the F9 on the ES and leave the 707 with F8 on the KD500.
Options!

 

[Balifly]

Thank you Marc and Balifly!
Here is a thought, Grace F8 with the 707 on the ES-1 or get a different arm to go with the F9 on the ES and leave the 707 with F8 on the KD500.
Options!

Which F8 ?

(There are various F8 stylus on F8 cartridge, not the same compliance or needle shape.)

To go with which tone arm?

Try and keep it simple for the time being.

Use the Grace F9U with- 25×10-6cm/dyne Needle RS-9U ( line contact needle) with the tone arm of the AR ES-1.

I can't see much closer to perfection one would have to try for?

 

[Hose53]

I'm feeling the same way too. Thanks so much for your input, I'm betting Marc is in agreement!

 

[Grenadeslio]

According to the specs the F9-U will work just fine with the G707. Ignore the circled part, that was already on the image.

 

[Balifly]

I'm feeling the same way too.

Thanks so much for your input, I'm betting Marc is in agreement!

Doubt it, he probably will want to refine / polish the Grace logo!

 

[Hose53]

Too funny! Yup he might want to do that!
Well the simplest option and still good is put the F9 on the existing AR arm.
Especially since the G707 is 3 hours away and I will be in AZ.

 

[Balifly]

Too funny! Yup he might want to do that!
Well the simplest option and still good is put the F9 on the existing AR arm.
Especially since the G707 is 3 hours away and I will be in AZ.

The Grace 707 has a rather limiting range of cartridge.

I don't use my very often.