Grado
Timbre Series Master4 Phono Cartridge
$1,000.00 USDPay Over Time
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Features
Nude elliptical diamond stylus for precise, detailed groove tracing
Machined boron cantilever offering low mass, speed, and a controlled, natural presentation
Moving iron flux-bridger design with extremely low moving mass and long-term reliability
Internal 6N OCC copper coil with cryogenic treatment for enhanced signal integrity
Available in High Output, Low Output, and Mono configurations for broad phono stage compatibility
Reshaped housing improves cantilever visibility for more precise tonearm alignment
Non-sensitive to capacitive load
Eligible for Grado's Wood Cartridge Upgrade Program
What's in the Box?
Warranty
Master4 is part of the Grado Timbre Series, offering a balanced and engaging presentation built on decades of cartridge design experience. It is designed to deliver clarity, control, and musicality while maintaining the tonal character that defines Grado cartridges.
Utilizing Grado's moving iron design, Master4 provides a stable and consistent signal with low moving mass and long-term reliability.
Offered in both stereo and mono configurations, Master4 continues the tradition of Grado's wood body cartridges.
Performance
Master4 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 are defined and well-structured.
Recordings are presented with stability and coherence, maintaining separation and imaging without exaggeration. The overall character remains consistent, allowing the recording to define the listening experience.
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
Master4 features a nude elliptical diamond mounted to a machined boron cantilever. The elliptical profile provides effective groove contact and detail retrieval, while the machined boron cantilever—known for its low mass and responsive behavior—contributes speed, stability, and a controlled, natural presentation.
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 Master4 is housed in an American Osage 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 | High Output | Low Output |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Specifications | ||
| Body | American Osage Wood | American Osage Wood |
| Cartridge Weight | 9.6 grams | 9.6 grams |
| Cartridge Specifications | ||
| Output | 4.0mV @ 5cm/s (45°) | 1.0mV @ 5cm/s (45°) |
| Inductance | 55mH | 6mH |
| Resistance | 660 ohms | 70 ohms |
| Cantilever | Machined Boron | Machined Boron |
| Stylus | Elliptical Diamond | Elliptical Diamond |
| Input Load | 10k–47k ohms | 10k–47k ohms |
| Tracking Force | 1.6–1.9 grams | 1.6–1.9 grams |
| Compliance | 20μm/mN | 20μm/mN |
| Channel Separation | Avg. 30dB (10–30kHz) | Avg. 30dB (10–30kHz) |
| Frequency Response | 10–60kHz | 10–60kHz |
| Internal Wiring | 6N OCC Copper, Cryo-Treated | 6N OCC Copper, Cryo-Treated |
| Additional Information | ||
| Builds Available | High Output, Low Output, Mono High Output, Mono Low Output | |