{"product_id":"gradoreference3lo","title":"Grado Timbre Reference3 MI Cartridge (Low 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 machined boron cantilever, hand-built in Brooklyn. This low-output version delivers 1.0 mV for low-noise phono stages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Reference3 can do everything the Master3 can – just a notch better. That's thanks to a more elaborate manufacturing and aging 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 system (Flux-Bridge): small moving mass, low inductance, open sound. The five-piece OTL construction with boron cantilever lowers the 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; every Reference3 is individually calibrated and goes through a special aging process for more color and depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe warm, colorful 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 low-output version for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor high-end analog listeners with a very low-noise, high-gain phono stage. Straight talk: on a normal MM input the level stays too low – then the high-output version at 4.0 mV is the right choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Reference3 is the pinnacle of the Timbre series. The low-output version squeezes out the last bit of openness and calm on a high-quality, low-noise phono stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical Data\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: Moving-iron cartridge (MI), low 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: Machined boron, five-piece OTL construction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiamond: Grado \"true ellipsoid\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput voltage: 1.0 mV (5 cm\/s)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInductance: 6 mH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eResistance: 70 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, boron cantilever and the five-piece OTL construction. The Reference3 goes through a longer, more elaborate manufacturing and aging process and uses Grado's \"true ellipsoid\" diamonds – the result is a touch more color and depth. It's the flagship of the Timbre series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLow or high output – which version?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis low-output version (1.0 mV) has fewer windings but thicker wire and a shorter signal path – which can sound especially open and clean, but needs a low-noise phono stage with more gain. If you use a normal MM input, go with the high-output version (4.0 mV).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs the Reference3 MM or MC?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTechnically a moving-iron system. This version works at 1.0 mV on a low-noise phono stage (10–47 kΩ load) and is 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 and the right phono stage. HD Zürisee in Wädenswil is an authorized Grado dealer; we align the Reference3 exactly and advise you on the right gain. Free shipping from CHF 190.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe right \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":52989512089936,"sku":"304142","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-low-output-schraegansicht.jpg?v=1785927080","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/gradoreference3lo","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}