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Grado Reference4 Phono Cartridge
$2,150.00
Product Details
Grado Reference4 Phono Cartridge, Nude Shibata Diamond on a Boron Cantilever
The Grado Reference4 is a reference-level wood-body moving iron phono cartridge, available in both high and low output configurations for compatibility across a wide range of phono stages. Its presentation is defined by clarity, refinement, and control: detail is resolved with precision while the top end stays smooth and composed, the midrange carries natural presence and texture, and low frequencies arrive with definition and authority. Complex passages are handled with ease, keeping separation and spatial stability so the structure of the recording comes through naturally. The Reference4 is available now at Vinyl Sound in Canada.
Key Features
The Reference4 features a nude Shibata diamond, a profile highly effective at retrieving groove detail with exceptional contact and resolution while staying natural and unforced. It is mounted to a machined boron cantilever, prized for its low mass and responsive behaviour, delivering clarity, speed, and stability across the frequency range. Housed in an American Osage wood body that helps control resonance and shape tonal balance, with a reshaped housing for better cantilever visibility during alignment, it uses Joseph Grado's flux-bridger moving iron principle and an internal path of ultra-high-purity 6N OCC copper with cryogenic treatment and internal damping.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cartridge Type | Moving iron, high or low output |
| Housing | American Osage wood body |
| Stylus | Nude Shibata diamond |
| Cantilever | Machined boron |
| Operating Principle | Grado flux-bridger moving iron |
| Internal Wiring | 6N OCC ultra-high-purity copper |
| Treatment | Cryogenic treatment and internal damping |
| Output Options | High output and low output |
Wood Cartridge Upgrade Program
As a Grado wood body cartridge, the Reference4 is supported by Grado's Wood Cartridge Upgrade Program, which lets you move from a current Grado wood cartridge to another model with a pricing accommodation. The program applies only to Grado wood body cartridges. Contact Vinyl Sound for details and current pricing on the model you are interested in.
Why Buy from Vinyl Sound?
Vinyl Sound is an authorized Canadian dealer for Grado. The Reference4 comes with full manufacturer warranty and expert support from our team. We offer free ground shipping to all provinces in Canada, and our staff can help you choose between high and low output and match the Reference4 to the right tonearm and phono stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes the Reference4 a step up from the Master4?
A: Both share a machined boron cantilever, American Osage body, and 6N OCC wiring, but the Reference4 upgrades to a nude Shibata diamond for greater groove contact and resolution, versus the nude elliptical diamond of the Master4, giving even more detail while staying natural and composed.
Q: Should I choose the high or low output Reference4?
A: The high output version suits standard moving magnet phono stages, while the low output version is designed for moving coil inputs with more gain. Choose based on your phono stage, and our staff can help you match the right configuration to your system.
Q: Is the Grado Reference4 available in Canada?
A: Yes. The Grado Reference4 is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Canadian Grado dealer, with free ground shipping to all provinces in Canada. It sits above the Sonata4 and Master4 in the wood-body range. You can also get setup advice at our Toronto store.
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