Grado Gold4 Hi-Fi Cartridge

Moving Iron Phono Cartridge for Maximum Vinyl Detail

The Grado Gold4 is the flagship of the company's Prestige Series of phono cartridges, combining decades of Brooklyn-built cartridge design with techniques borrowed from the cost-no-object Lineage Series. This high-output moving iron design delivers the tracking precision and low moving mass typically associated with moving coil designs, while remaining fully compatible with standard moving magnet (MM) phono inputs. The result is a balanced, musical presentation with more detail and separation than any other Prestige model.

What Sets the Gold4 Apart in the Prestige Lineup

Three upgrades separate the Gold4 from the Red4 and Green4 below it. The cantilever uses a four-piece OTL (Optimized Transmission Line) assembly — sections of different alloys telescoped and bonded with resonance-absorbing material — which suppresses resonances for a quieter background and wider soundstage. The generator is precision-machined to tighter tolerances, and the coils are wound with ultra-high-purity copper using Lineage Series techniques.

Technical Specifications — Compatibility and Signal Output

The Gold4's electrical and mechanical parameters are tuned for broad system compatibility. The 4.0 mV output matches standard MM phono stages, the 10k–47k ohm input load covers virtually every phono preamp, and the 1.6–1.9 gram tracking force is light enough to protect records across long listening sessions.

• Type: High-output moving iron (MI), twin magnet flux-bridger generator
• Output Voltage: 4.0 mV @ 5 CMV (45 degrees) — pairs with any standard MM phono input, no step-up transformer required
• Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 55,000 Hz
• Channel Separation: Average 25 dB (10–30,000 Hz)
• Stylus: Grado-specific elliptical diamond on brass bushing — user-replaceable in seconds without tools
• Cantilever: Four-piece OTL aluminum assembly — sections of different alloys bonded with resonance-absorbing material
• Tracking Force: 1.6–1.9 g
• Compliance: 20 μm/mN
• Input Load: 10k–47k ohms
• Cartridge Weight: 6 g
• Mounting: Standard ½-inch (12.7 mm) or P-mount

Who Should Choose the Grado Gold4

The Grado Gold4 is the right choice for vinyl enthusiasts who want moving coil speed and detail without investing in a step-up transformer or MC phono preamp. Its 4.0 mV output drops into any standard MM phono input, making it a natural upgrade for owners of mid-tier turntables who have outgrown their stock cartridge. The user-replaceable stylus means the cartridge body can stay in the tonearm for years. Available in both standard ½-inch and P-mount versions, it fits a wide range of tonearms.

Hand-Built in Brooklyn Since 1953

Grado Labs has been hand-building phono cartridges in its family-owned Brooklyn, New York factory since 1953, with some craftspeople carrying more than 25 years of experience. The Gold4 borrows directly from the flagship Lineage Series — including the precision-machined generator and ultra-high-purity copper coil winding techniques — bringing cost-no-object design principles into the more accessible Prestige line.