{"product_id":"gradoreference3ho","title":"Grado Timbre Reference3 MI Cartridge (High Output)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Grado Reference3 is the flagship of Grado's Timbre series – a moving-iron cartridge with an Australian Jarrah wood body and a machine-crafted boron cantilever, hand-built in Brooklyn. This High Output version delivers 4.0 mV for any MM phono input.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Reference3 does everything the Master3 does – just a touch better. That's down to a more elaborate manufacturing and maturation process that only a few Grado cartridges go through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the Reference3?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrado builds on the moving-iron principle with a dual-magnet (flux-bridge) system: small moving mass, low inductance, open sound. The five-piece OTL construction with boron cantilever lowers tip mass compared to the more affordable Timbre models and brings more control and resolution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTracking is handled by Grado's \"true ellipsoid\" diamonds. The coils are wound with ultra-pure UHPLC copper; each Reference3 is individually calibrated and goes through a special maturation process for more colour and depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe warm, colourful Grado character at the series' highest level: precise, calm and deep, with a finely fanned-out soundstage. The Jarrah body keeps the sound stable and low in resonance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the Reference3 for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor high-end analogue listeners with a quality turntable and a properly adjustable tonearm. Straight talk: if you can't or won't adjust VTA and azimuth, you won't unlock its potential – the Platinum3 or Sonata3 are then the smarter choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Reference3 is the peak of the Timbre series: the last measure of resolution and colour that Grado coaxes out of wood, boron and handwork before the Lineage series begins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical data\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: Moving-iron cartridge (MI), High Output, replaceable stylus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeries: Grado Timbre (flagship)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody: Australian Jarrah wood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCantilever: Machine-crafted boron, five-piece OTL construction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiamond: Grado \"true ellipsoid\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput voltage: 4.0 mV (5 cm\/s)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInductance: 55 mH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eResistance: 660 Ω\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended load: 10–47 kΩ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrequency response: 10–60,000 Hz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChannel separation: approx. 30 dB (10–30 kHz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompliance: 20 µm\/mN\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended tracking force: 1.6–1.9 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 10 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eManufacturing: Hand-assembled in Brooklyn, NY\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's the difference between the Reference3 and the Master3?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth use Jarrah wood, a boron cantilever and the five-piece OTL construction. The Reference3 goes through a longer, more elaborate manufacturing and maturation process and uses Grado's \"true ellipsoid\" diamonds – the result is a touch more colour and depth. It's the flagship of the Timbre series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHigh or Low Output – which version?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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 even more open on a low-noise phono stage but needs considerably more gain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs the Reference3 MM or MC?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTechnically a moving-iron system, run like an MM: 4.0 mV output, 10–47 kΩ load, any MM input. Not sensitive to cable capacitance. The stylus is user-replaceable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Grado Reference3 from HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause a cartridge in this class demands precise mounting. HD Zürisee in Wädenswil is an authorised Grado dealer; we align the Reference3 exactly (tracking force, anti-skate, azimuth, VTA) and advise you on the right phono stage. Free shipping from CHF 190.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe matching \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/plattenspieler\"\u003eturntable\u003c\/a\u003e, more \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonabnehmer\"\u003ecartridges\u003c\/a\u003e and the matching \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/phono-vorverstarker\"\u003ephono preamp\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grado","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52989512057168,"sku":"304147","price":1589.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/grado-timbre-reference3-mi-tonabnehmer-high-output-schraegansicht.jpg?v=1785927054","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/gradoreference3ho","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}