Grado Reference Platinum 4 Phono Cartridge

Grado Platinum4

The Grado Platinum4 phono cartridge belongs to the Timbre Series and therefore offers a balanced and accessible entry point into the world of Grado wooden-body cartridges. Developed over decades of refinement, it delivers clarity, stability, and musicality while maintaining the tonal character that has always distinguished the brand.

Thanks to its moving iron design, based on Joseph Grado’s patented flux-bridger principle, the Platinum4 generates a precise signal with reduced moving mass, while the coil structure remains fixed. As a result, it combines speed and control without the typical fragility of traditional moving coil systems. In addition, the signal path uses ultra-pure 6N OCC copper, and each unit undergoes cryogenic treatment with internal damping to preserve signal integrity.

The body is made from Mediterranean olive wood, chosen because it helps control resonances and define the tonal balance. Similarly, the revised shaping improves cantilever visibility during setup and therefore enables more precise alignment across a wide range of tonearms.

Sonically, the presentation remains balanced and controlled: the midrange offers presence and body, while the low frequencies remain defined and composed. The Platinum4 is available in both high-output and low-output versions, making it compatible with a wide range of phono stages.

Specifications

Type: Moving Iron phono cartridge
Body: Mediterranean olive wood
Cantilever: Aluminium
Stylus: Bonded elliptical diamond
Internal coil: Ultra-pure 6N OCC copper, with cryogenic treatment and internal damping

Output:
High output: 4.0 mV (@ 5 cm/s, 45°)
Low output: 1.0 mV (@ 5 cm/s, 45°)

Inductance:
High output: 55 mH
Low output: 6 mH

Resistance:
High output: 660 Ω
Low output: 70 Ω

Input load: 10 kΩ – 47 kΩ
Cartridge weight: 9.4 g
Tracking force: 1.6 – 1.9 g
Compliance: 20 μm/mN
Channel separation: Average 30 dB (10 Hz – 30 kHz)
Controlled frequency response: 10 Hz – 60 kHz
Capacitive load: Not sensitive
Available configurations: High output, low output