{"product_id":"gradosonata3lo","title":"Grado Timbre Sonata3 MI Phono Cartridge (Low Output)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 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 Low Output version delivers 1.0 mV for low-noise phono stages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe solid wood mass keeps the Sonata3 calm and stable – the basis for the typical, colourful Grado sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the Sonata3?\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 Jarrah body distributes the mass evenly and settles resonances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe warm, full Grado character with even more resolution and calm than the Platinum3 – a musical, balanced cartridge that audibly rewards a good turntable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the Low Output version for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor anyone with a low-noise phono stage that brings enough gain. Plain 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 Sonata3 is the upper middle of the Timbre series. The Low Output version coaxes the last bit of openness out of a good, low-noise phono stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: Moving Iron phono cartridge (MI), Low Output, stylus replaceable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeries: Grado Timbre\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody: Australian Jarrah wood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCantilever: Aluminium, modified four-piece OTL construction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiamond: Grado-own, elliptical\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: 9 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\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 requires a low-noise phono stage with more gain. If you use a normal MM input, take the High Output version (4.0 mV).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs the Sonata3 MM or MC?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTechnically a Moving Iron system. This version operates at 1.0 mV into 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\u003eWhere does the Sonata3 sit in the Timbre series?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbove 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Grado Sonata3 at HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause a cartridge only shows its potential with correct fitting and a matching phono stage. HD Zürisee in Wädenswil is an authorised Grado dealer; we fit the Sonata3 precisely and advise you on 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\"\u003ephono cartridges\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":52989512319312,"sku":"304144","price":649.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/grado-timbre-sonata3-mi-tonabnehmer-low-output-schraegansicht.jpg?v=1785927080","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/gradosonata3lo","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}