Grado Cartridges
Epoch3
The absolute pinnacle. Assembled by John Grado.
The Epoch3 is the most refined phono cartridge Grado has ever built — the ultimate expression of Joseph Grado's moving iron vision. A sapphire cantilever carries an elliptical diamond stylus into the groove, connected to a Flux-Bridger generator wound with 24-karat solid gold wire and housed in hand-selected Honduras cocobolo wood. All internal magnetic circuit parts are Swiss screw-machined with watch-grade tolerances. The result is a controlled frequency response from 5 Hz to 75 kHz, 35 dB channel separation, and the lowest effective moving mass of any cartridge in production. Each Epoch3 sees final assembly by John Grado himself at his Brooklyn workbench.
At a Glance
●Sapphire cantilever / diamond stylus
●24-karat gold wire coils
●Flux-Bridger generator
●5 Hz – 75 kHz response
●35 dB channel separation
●1.0 mV output / 47 kΩ load
●1.6–1.9 g tracking force
●Assembled by John Grado
Key Features
Sapphire Cantilever & Diamond Stylus
A sapphire cantilever connects the elliptical diamond tip to the generating system — extraordinary rigidity with minimal mass for the most accurate groove tracing possible.
24-Karat Gold Wire Coils
The generator is wound with the finest properly sized and annealed 24-karat solid gold wire — the ultimate conductor for signal purity and harmonic integrity.
Swiss-Machined Flux-Bridger Generator
All internal magnetic circuit parts are Swiss screw-machined or precision-molded metal — tolerances on the order of the finest Swiss watches.
Honduras Cocobolo Housing
Hand-selected cocobolo wood optimises mass distribution and dampens resonant frequencies — each housing cured and shaped at the Brooklyn workshop.
Technologies Inside
Moving Iron Generator
A design no other manufacturer matches.
While most cartridges use moving magnets or moving coils, Grado's moving iron design moves a tiny iron element through a fixed magnetic and coil assembly. This produces a generator with very low moving mass — for fast transient response — combined with a high output voltage that drives any phono stage with ease. The result is a warm, detailed, and dynamically alive presentation.
Gallery
A closer look at the Epoch3.
More in Grado Cartridges
Experience the Epoch3
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For complete specifications and technical details, visit the official Grado website.