Grado Prestige Green3 MI Cartridge

The Grado Prestige Green3 is a moving-iron cartridge from the Prestige series, hand-assembled in Brooklyn – an honest entry into the signature Grado sound with high output voltage for any MM phono input.

The Green3 is hand-selected from Black3 production: only around 15% of units meet the tighter measurements to become a Green3.

Why the Green3?

Grado builds its cartridges on the moving-iron principle – instead of a magnet or a coil, a tiny piece of iron moves. That keeps inductance around ten times lower than in classic MM systems and delivers a clean, open top end.

The three-piece OTL cantilever (Optimized Transmission Line) with Grado's own diamond on a brass bushing transfers the groove signal with low loss and suppresses resonance. The dual-magnet system and coils wound with ultra-pure copper provide precise channel balance.

What you hear

The classic Grado character: full, warm and spacious, with punchy bass and big, open highs. Recommended tracking force 1.5 g.

Who is the Green3 for?

For beginners and anyone who wants to give a good turntable with an MM input the signature Grado sound. Straight talk: if you only have an MC input, you need a moving-coil system – the Green3 wants to see a 47 kΩ MM input.

Our verdict

The Green3 is the affordable way to real Grado sound: straightforward, durable and with the full, lively character the brand is known for.

Technical Data

• Type: Moving-iron cartridge (MI), high output, replaceable stylus
• Series: Grado Prestige
• Frequency response: 10–50,000 Hz
• Output voltage: 5 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/s)
• Recommended load: 47 kΩ
• Recommended tracking force: 1.5 g
• Cantilever: Three-piece OTL construction
• Diamond: Elliptical, on brass bushing
• Magnet system: Dual magnet, ultra-pure copper coils
• Mounting: Standard 1/2"
• Weight: approx. 5.5 g
• Manufacturing: Hand-assembled in Brooklyn, NY

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Green3, Red3 and Gold3?

All three are moving-iron systems in the Prestige series with 5 mV and 47 kΩ. The Green3 is the entry point (hand-selected from Black3 production, three-piece OTL cantilever). Red3 and Gold3 sit above it – with a four-piece cantilever and, on the Gold3, an additional specially finished generator.

Is the Green3 an MM or MC system?

Technically it's a moving-iron system, but it's run like an MM: high output voltage (5 mV), 47 kΩ load, works with any MM phono input. The stylus is user-replaceable – so a later stylus swap is not a job for a workshop.

Why buy the Grado Green3 at HD Zürisee?

Because a cartridge only shows its potential with correct setup. HD Zürisee in Wädenswil is an authorised Grado dealer; we mount the Green3 properly, set tracking force and anti-skating, and advise you on the right phono stage. Free shipping from CHF 190.

Goes well with

A matching turntable, more cartridges and the right phono preamp.