Grado
Grado Master3
Best high-fidelity cartridge for audiophiles seeking natural, resonant analog sound.
The Grado Master3 phono cartridge is a high-output Moving Iron model from the Timbre Series. It utilizes an intricate curing process and specialized materials for optimal sonic quality. Featuring a five-piece OTL cantilever for reduced tip mass and coils wound with ultra-high purity long crystal oxygen-free copper wire, it delivers exceptional clarity across the frequency range. The cartridge is housed in Australian Jarrah wood, known for its ability to produce precise clarity and dampen resonant frequencies.
$1000.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
173
/ 1640
#173 in Turntable Accessories
Price vs Category Average
-21%
Below average
Body
Australian Jarrah Wood
/ Australian Jarrah Wood
Who it's for
- Audiophiles seeking lifelike, dynamic acoustic instrument reproduction
- Design lovers who appreciate artisanal, hand-built wooden aesthetics
- Listeners prioritizing articulate, high-speed midrange detail
Who should skip it
- Listeners prone to ear fatigue during long listening sessions
- Commuters or office workers needing privacy and noise isolation
- Casual users without a dedicated high-quality headphone amplifier
Performance breakdown
Sonic Clarity
High-purity copper coils deliver exceptional detail across the entire frequency range.
Resonance Control
Australian Jarrah wood housing effectively dampens unwanted vibrations for cleaner playback.
Tracking Precision
Five-piece OTL cantilever design significantly reduces tip mass for accurate groove tracing.
System Compatibility
Insensitivity to capacitive loading makes matching this cartridge with preamps remarkably easy.
Build Craftsmanship
Intricate curing and specialized materials reflect a premium, artisanal manufacturing approach.
Frequency Extension
Impressive 10-60 KHz response captures nuances often lost by lesser cartridges.
Key Specs
Body
Australian Jarrah Wood
Cantilever
Machined Boron with Diamond Tip
Cartridge Weight
10 grams
Tracking Force
1.6-1.9 grams
Compliance
20μm/mN
Channel Separation
Average 30db (10-30k Hz)
Frequency Response
10-60 KHz
Mounting Type
Standard 1/2 Inch
Features
- Intricate curing process and specialized materials for superior sound
- Five-piece OTL cantilever technology for reduced tip mass
- Ultra-high purity long crystal oxygen-free copper wire coils
- Specially designed nude elliptical diamond stylus
- Two-step shielding process for precise coil unison
- Australian Jarrah wood housing for resonance control
- Non-sensitive to capacitive load variations
- High-output, low-output, and mono configurations
What customers say
Owners consistently praise the Master3 for its exceptional build quality and signature Grado sound. Reviewers highlight the meticulous craftsmanship, noting the beautiful wooden enclosures and durable components. The audio performance delivers highly detailed and engaging sound, offering a rich open soundstage that validates the premium investment. While the aesthetic design is distinctive, many find it deeply satisfying. This product is viewed as a reliable, long term audio companion.
Know before you buy
The Jarrah wood housing acts as a natural dampening agent. It effectively minimizes unwanted resonant frequencies, which helps the cartridge deliver a cleaner, more precise sound profile.
The Master3 is a high-output Moving Iron cartridge, so it is designed to work with standard moving magnet (MM) phono stages. Additionally, it is non-sensitive to capacitive load variations, making it easier to integrate into most existing setups.
The recommended tracking force is between 1.6 and 1.9 grams. It is important to stay within this range to ensure optimal stylus contact and to prevent unnecessary wear on your records.
The OTL (Optimized Transmission Line) cantilever technology reduces tip mass. By lowering the mass at the stylus tip, the cartridge can track record grooves more accurately, resulting in improved clarity and detail retrieval.
Yes, the Master3 features a standard 1/2-inch mounting configuration. It is compatible with the vast majority of modern and vintage tonearms that accept standard cartridge mounts.
It uses a specially designed nude elliptical diamond stylus. This shape is chosen for its ability to trace the groove walls accurately, providing a balanced frequency response across the entire spectrum.
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