Grado Timbre Master3 MI Phono Cartridge (Low Output)

The Grado Master3 is a Moving Iron phono cartridge from the Timbre series – hand-built in Brooklyn, with an Australian Jarrah wood body and a machine-crafted boron cantilever. This Low Output version delivers 1.0 mV for low-noise phono stages.

Within the Timbre series, the Master3 sits high up the ladder – only the Reference3 ranks above it.

Why the Master3?

Grado builds on the Moving Iron principle with a dual-magnet (flux-bridge) system: this keeps the moving mass small and inductance low – for an open, fast sound. The machine-crafted boron cantilever and the five-piece OTL construction further reduce tip mass compared to the more affordable Timbre models and bring more control and resolution.

Tracking is handled by Grado's own specially cut, bare elliptical diamond. The coils are wound with ultra-pure UHPLC copper, and every Master3 is individually calibrated.

What you hear

The warm, colourful Grado character, but with significantly more precision, calm and fine detail than the smaller Timbre models. The Jarrah body settles resonances and keeps the sound stable.

Who is the Low Output version for?

For anyone with a low-noise, high-gain phono stage who wants that last bit of openness. Plain talk: on a normal MM input it'll be too quiet – then the High Output version with 4.0 mV is the right choice.

Our verdict

The Master3 is high-end analogue sound just below the Timbre summit: wood, boron and craftsmanship from Brooklyn. On a good phono stage, the Low Output version extracts that last bit of openness.

Technical specifications

• Type: Moving Iron phono cartridge (MI), Low Output, stylus replaceable
• Series: Grado Timbre
• Body: Australian Jarrah wood
• Cantilever: Machine-crafted boron, five-piece OTL construction
• Diamond: Grado's own, bare elliptical
• Output voltage: 1.0 mV (5 cm/s)
• Inductance: 6 mH
• Resistance: 70 Ω
• Recommended load: 10–47 kΩ
• Frequency response: 10–60,000 Hz
• Channel separation: approx. 30 dB (10–30 kHz)
• Compliance: 20 µm/mN
• Recommended tracking force: 1.6–1.9 g
• Weight: 10 g
• Manufacturing: Hand-assembled in Brooklyn, NY

Frequently asked questions

Low or High Output – which version?

This Low Output version (1.0 mV) has fewer windings but thicker wire and a shorter signal path – this can sound especially open and clean, but requires a low-noise phono stage with more gain. If you're using a normal MM input, you're better served by the High Output version (4.0 mV).

Is the Master3 MM or MC?

Technically a Moving Iron system. This version works at 1.0 mV on a low-noise phono stage (10–47 kΩ load) and isn't sensitive to cable capacitance – unlike many classic MM systems.

Where does the Master3 rank in the Timbre series?

In ascending order: Opus3 (maple), Platinum3 and Sonata3 (Jarrah, aluminium cantilever), then Master3 and Reference3 (Jarrah, boron cantilever). So the Master3 sits high up the ladder – only the Reference3 is even finer.

Why buy the Grado Master3 at HD Zürisee?

Because a cartridge of this class demands careful setup and the right phono stage. HD Zürisee in Wädenswil is an authorised Grado dealer; we set up the Master3 precisely and advise you on the right gain. Free shipping from CHF 190.

Goes well with

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