Grado Timbre Sonata3 MI Phono Cartridge (High Output)

The Grado Sonata3 is the step up from the Platinum3 in Grado's Timbre series – a Moving Iron phono cartridge with an Australian Jarrah wood body, hand-built in Brooklyn. This High Output version delivers 4.0 mV for any MM phono input.

The solid wood mass keeps the Sonata3 calm and stable – the basis for the typical, colourful Grado sound.

Why the Sonata3?

Grado builds on the Moving Iron principle with a dual-magnet system (Flux-Bridge): small moving mass, low inductance, open sound. The Jarrah body distributes the mass evenly and settles resonances.

The aluminium cantilever is a modified version of Grado's four-piece OTL construction, tracked by a Grado-own elliptical diamond. The coils are wound with ultra-pure UHPLC copper.

What you hear

The warm, full Grado character with even more resolution and calm than the Platinum3 – a musical, balanced cartridge that audibly rewards a good turntable.

Who is the Sonata3 for?

For anyone with an MM phono input and a good turntable who wants to hear clearly beyond entry level. Plain talk: on a basic turntable the difference to the Platinum3 fizzles out – there, the turntable is what's worth upgrading first.

Our verdict

The Sonata3 is the upper middle of the Timbre series: more finesse than the Platinum3, without pushing into Boron price territory. A rounded, musical cartridge.

Technical specifications

• Type: Moving Iron phono cartridge (MI), High Output, stylus replaceable
• Series: Grado Timbre
• Body: Australian Jarrah wood
• Cantilever: Aluminium, modified four-piece OTL construction
• Diamond: Grado-own, elliptical
• Output voltage: 4.0 mV (5 cm/s)
• Inductance: 55 mH
• Resistance: 660 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: 9 g
• Manufacturing: Hand-assembled in Brooklyn, NY

Frequently asked questions

High or Low Output – which version?

This High Output version (4.0 mV) matches any classic MM phono input and is the right choice for most systems. The Low Output version (1.0 mV) can sound potentially even more open on a low-noise phono stage, but requires noticeably more gain.

Is the Sonata3 MM or MC?

Technically a Moving Iron system, operated like an MM: 4.0 mV output, 10–47 kΩ load, into any MM input. Not sensitive to cable capacitance. The stylus is user-replaceable.

Where does the Sonata3 sit in the Timbre series?

Above the Platinum3 and below the Master3. The Sonata3 and Platinum3 share the Jarrah wood body and aluminium cantilever; the Sonata3 is more highly selected and more finely tuned. Above it come the Master3 and Reference3 with boron cantilevers.

Why buy the Grado Sonata3 at HD Zürisee?

Because a cartridge only shows its potential with correct fitting. HD Zürisee in Wädenswil is an authorised Grado dealer; we fit the Sonata3 precisely and advise you on the right phono stage. Free shipping from CHF 190.

Goes well with

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