Grado
Timbre Platinum4 – Wood Body Cartridge
$400.00 USDFeatures
Moving iron design built on Joseph Grado's patented flux-bridger principle for precise, low-mass signal generation
Bonded elliptical diamond on an aluminum cantilever for reliable groove tracking and clarity
Ultra-high purity 6N OCC copper internal wiring for superior conductivity and signal consistency
Cryogenically treated with internal damping to minimize unwanted resonance
Available in high-output (4.0mV) and low-output (1.0mV) configurations for wide phono stage compatibility
Stereo and mono builds offered, including special-order mono variants
Reshaped housing improves cantilever visibility for precise tonearm alignment
Non-sensitive to capacitive load for versatile system matching
Eligible for Grado's Wood Cartridge Upgrade Program
What's in the Box?
Warranty
Platinum4 is part of the Grado Timbre Series, offering a balanced and accessible entry into Grado's wood body cartridge designs. Built on decades of cartridge development, it delivers clarity, stability, and musicality while maintaining the tonal character that defines Grado cartridges.
Utilizing Grado's moving iron design, Platinum provides a consistent and reliable signal with low moving mass and long-term performance.
Offered in both stereo and mono configurations, Platinum continues the tradition of Grado's wood body cartridges.
Performance
Platinum4 is available in both high and low output configurations, allowing for compatibility across a wide range of phono stages.
Its presentation is balanced and controlled, with clear detail and a smooth, natural top end. The midrange carries presence and body, while low frequencies remain defined and composed.
Recordings are presented with stability and coherence, maintaining separation and imaging while allowing the character of the music to come through.
Moving Iron Design
All Grado cartridges utilize a moving iron design built on Joseph Grado's patented flux-bridger principle.
This approach allows the cartridge to generate a precise signal with extremely low moving mass, while keeping the coil structure fixed. The result is a presentation that combines speed, control, and harmonic integrity without the fragility often associated with traditional moving coil systems.
Diamond & Cantilever
Platinum4 features a bonded elliptical diamond mounted to an aluminum cantilever.
The elliptical profile provides effective groove contact and reliable tracking, while the aluminum cantilever contributes to a stable and balanced presentation. This combination delivers clarity and control across a wide range of recordings.
Coil & Internal Structure
The internal signal path is built using ultra-high purity 6N OCC copper, selected for its conductivity and consistency.
Each cartridge undergoes cryogenic treatment and internal damping to reduce unwanted resonance and preserve signal integrity.
Housing
The Platinum4 is housed in a Mediterranean Olive wood body, selected for its ability to help control resonance and contribute to the cartridge's tonal balance. The reshaped housing improves visibility of the cantilever during setup, allowing for more precise alignment while supporting compatibility across a wide range of tonearms.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Physical Specifications | |
| Body | Mediterranean Olive Wood |
| Cantilever | Aluminum |
| Stylus | Bonded Elliptical Diamond |
| Cartridge Weight | 9.4 grams |
| Cartridge Specifications | |
| Output (High) | 4.0mV @ 5cm/s (45°) |
| Output (Low) | 1.0mV @ 5cm/s (45°) |
| Inductance (High Output) | 55mH |
| Inductance (Low Output) | 6mH |
| Resistance (High Output) | 660 ohms |
| Resistance (Low Output) | 70 ohms |
| Input Load | 10k–47k ohms |
| Tracking Force | 1.6–1.9 grams |
| Compliance | 20 μm/mN |
| Channel Separation | Average 30dB (10Hz–30kHz) |
| Frequency Response | 10–60 kHz |
| Technical Specifications | |
| Internal Wiring | 6N OCC Copper |
| Additional Information | |
| Builds Available | High Output, Low Output, Mono High Output, Mono Low Output |