Grado Sonata 3 MI Cartridge
€699.00
per Piece incl. VAT / incl. Shipping
Available in 7 days, delivery time 1-3 days
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Grado Sonata 3 cartridge
The Grado Sonata 3 is the entry point into Grado's high-quality Wood series – and at the same time a cartridge that already brings with it many qualities for which the brand has been appreciated for decades: natural tonal colors, a credible vocal reproduction and a mechanically sophisticated design that is audibly geared towards precision.
At the heart of the Sonata 3 is a thermally treated, resonance-optimized cabinet made of jarrah wood . This Australian hardwood is approximately 25% harder than oak and offers precisely the damping properties that are crucial for controlled, resonance-free operation. The result is a clean, stable sound reproduction with exceptional tonal balance – especially with acoustic instruments and voices.
Inside, Grado's signature Moving Iron (MI) technology combines the high output voltage of classic MM cartridges with the precision of high-end, precision-engineered designs. The UHPLC coils, made of long-crystal, oxygen-free copper, ensure low-loss signal transmission and a balanced ratio of dynamics, detail resolution, and sonic coherence.
A further technical improvement over the Prestige series lies in the redesigned four-part cantilever , the tip of which has been reduced in weight by approximately 10%. The lower moving mass improves impulse response and enables finer resolution of subtle dynamic nuances.
The Sonata 3 also uses a nude elliptical diamond stylus , which works more precisely in the record groove than simpler bonded stylus solutions. This improves detail reproduction, reduces distortion, and ensures clean tracking even in complex passages.
Available for MM and MC phono stages
The Grado Sonata 3 is available in several versions, allowing for flexible integration into existing analog systems:
- High Output Version (4.8 mV) – suitable for high-quality MM phono inputs
- Low Output / Statement Version (1.0 mV) – designed for MC phono preamplifiers
- Mono version – for specialized mono playback
This makes the Sonata 3 suitable for both classic MM setups and demanding MC-based phono stages.
Technical data
- Model: Grado Sonata 3
- Type: Moving Iron (MI) Pickup
- Weight: 9.0 g
- Recommended tracking force: 1.6 – 1.9 g
- Cabinet: resonance-optimized Jarrah wood
- Needle holder: 4-part
- Needle cut: nude elliptical diamond
- Coils: UHPLC long-crystalline, oxygen-free copper
- Output voltage:
- 1.0 mV (Low Output / Statement)
- 4.8 mV (High Output)
- Frequency response: 10 – 60,000 Hz
- Needle compliance: 20 µm/mN
- Internal impedance:
- 70 O (Low Output)
- 660 O (High Output)
- Recommended termination impedance: 10,000 Ω – 47 kΩ
Sound character
The Grado Sonata 3 is aimed at listeners seeking a musically coherent cartridge with high-quality materials and precise manufacturing. It particularly excels with vocals, jazz, classical, and acoustic recordings, delivering an authentic, full-bodied presentation – without artificial harshness or exaggerated detail. A well-designed MI cartridge for discerning vinyl enthusiasts who want to invest in quality for the long term.
| Condition: | new item |
|---|---|
| Configuration: | High Output |
| Material: | wood |
| Product type: | Pickup MI |
| Series: | timbre |
Manufacturer
GRADO LABORATORIES
INC.
4614 - 7th Avenue
Brooklyn
NY 11220
https://gradolabs.com/pages/contact-us
EU Representative
High-Fidelity Studio
Gerald Jakob
Dominikanergasse 7
86150 Augsburg
high-fidelity-studio@t-online.de
Safety Information
Product-specific safety instructions can be found in the operating manual.
