Sonata3 Phono Cartridge

The Sonata3 does everything the Platinum3 can do - but does it better, thanks to intricate processes while being crafted.

A Step Up

While similar to its younger sibling in a few aspects, the Sonata3 has a much longer build time since it undergoes extremely unique processes that only a few of our cartridges go through. This longer, more intricate practice produces a more colorful and deeper sound.

Since we have considerably fewer turns in the Statement Series, we can use a much larger size wire, thus knocking the resistance from 470 ohms to 2 ohms in the Statement Series. This new wire has over 16 times more area for carrying the signal; this also shortens the distance the signal must travel from 125ft to a little over 7ft. In the Statement series, we have also shortened the magnetic gap, increasing the flux density.

- John Grado

The Materials

To make the Timbre Series work as a whole, we created a way for Jarrah, diamonds, and a twin magnet system to integrate with our Flux-Bridge™. We modified our four-piece OTL cantilever technology to achieve a 10% tip mass reduction over the Prestige Series and use ultra-high purity long crystal (UHPLC) oxygen-free copper wire in the coils. The Sonata3 uses a specially designed Grado nude elliptical diamond.

Extreme Precision

Grado has combined newly developed coil winding techniques with decades-old disciplines. A new two-step shielding process brings not only exact unison between the four coils but an unobstructed path for a cleaner signal. The music is allowed to travel undistorted through the coils, greatly reducing mechanical noise while improving tracking. There is an extreme clarity over the full frequency range, with absolutely no stridency or shrillness. Precisely hand-tipped with a diamond, a great amount of care goes into each cartridge we build.

Built from Jarrah

After the Sonata3 cartridge is crafted, it is then placed inside an Australian Jarrah housing. Jarrah is necessary for the majority of Timbre Series with its ability to produce surgically precise clarity without losing any depth. Through a variation of thermal aging processes, the housing gains the ability to better dampen and control the resonant frequencies.

Hand-Built in Brooklyn

Each Sonata3 is hand-built by our team in Brooklyn, as it has been for decades. After a specialized process that brings it to life, they are fine-tuned for everything from entry-level turntables up to the highest-end stereo systems. The solid mass of the wood helps keep the Sonata3 steady and produce the Grado signature sound. We started building cartridges on a kitchen table in 1953, and every experience since then has led to the creation of the Sonata3.