Grado Prestige Red4 Phono Cartridge
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Grado Prestige Red4 Phono Cartridge
Grado Prestige Red4 Moving Iron Phono Cartridge
What You Need to Know
The Sweet Spot of Grado’s Prestige Series
The Grado Prestige Red4 Moving Iron Phono Cartridge is the step-up model in Grado’s hand-built Prestige line—and for many listeners, the ideal balance of price and refinement. Assembled at Grado’s family-owned Brooklyn factory, the Red4 delivers a clear, controlled, and richly musical sound with the smooth, natural top end Grado is loved for.
If you want more polish than an entry-level cartridge without stretching the budget, the Red4 hits the mark.
Moving Iron Design: The Best of Both Worlds
The Red4 uses Joseph Grado’s patented flux-bridger moving iron generator. The coils stay fixed while a tiny, ultra-low-mass iron element moves in the magnetic field—giving you the speed and inner detail associated with moving coils, with the easy compatibility and 4.0mV output of a moving magnet.
You’ll hear clear detail, confident bass, and Grado’s signature midrange warmth on every record.
Upgraded Internals for the 4 Series
The new 4 Series brings real improvements throughout: an internal signal path of ultra-high-purity OCC copper, cryogenic treatment of key components, and added internal damping for a quieter, cleaner presentation than previous generations.
User-Replaceable, Upgradeable Stylus
The Red4’s elliptical stylus replaces in seconds with no tools. Every Prestige Series stylus is interchangeable—so the flagship Gold4 stylus is a simple drop-in upgrade whenever you’re ready.
Hand-Built in Brooklyn, New York
Every Prestige Red4 is assembled and tested by hand at Grado Labs in Brooklyn—some of Grado’s craftspeople have been building cartridges for over 25 years.
Building Your System
The Red4 works with any turntable with a standard MM phono input, and its light tracking force is gentle on records. It’s also available in a P-mount version for compatible tonearms.
It’s an excellent match for popular mid-tier turntables, adding refinement and musicality without demanding anything special from the rest of your system.
Features & Specifications
Flux-Bridger Moving Iron Generator
Moving coil speed and detail with moving magnet convenience.
Elliptical Diamond Stylus
Clear detail and a smooth, natural top end with confident tracking.
OCC Copper Signal Path with Cryogenic Treatment
New 4 Series internals for a cleaner, quieter presentation.
User-Replaceable, Interchangeable Stylus
Swap in seconds—or drop in the flagship Gold4 stylus later.
Hand-Built in Brooklyn, USA
Assembled and tested at Grado’s family-owned factory, est. 1953.
Standard ½-Inch or P-Mount
Compatible with virtually any tonearm.
Specifications
• Type: High Output Moving Iron (MI)
• Stylus: Elliptical Diamond (user-replaceable)
• Cantilever: Aluminum
• Output: 4.0mV
• Load Impedance: 10k–47k ohms (standard MM input)
• Mounting: Standard ½-inch (P-mount version available)
• Tracking Force: 1.6–1.9 grams
• Weight: 6 grams
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special phono preamp?
No. The Red4’s 4.0mV high output works with any standard moving magnet (MM) phono input.
How does the Red4 compare to the Green4?
The Red4 sits a tier above the Green4 in Grado’s line, voiced for greater control and clarity with a smoother, more refined top end.
How does it compare to the Gold4?
The Gold4 steps up to a four-piece OTL cantilever assembly, a precision-machined generator, and coils wound using techniques from Grado’s flagship Lineage Series—worth the stretch for maximum Prestige performance.
Who is the Red4 designed for?
It’s ideal for vinyl listeners who want a noticeable refinement over entry-level cartridges while keeping the budget sensible.
Why Audio Advisor?
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- Mid-tier of the Grado Prestige Series — above the Green4, below the Gold4. Same fundamental architecture as both, with a higher-specification cantilever assembly than the Green4.
- Bonded elliptical diamond on aluminum cantilever — the elliptical profile tracks high-frequency content more accurately than a spherical stylus, making better groove contact and retrieving more musical information at the same tracking force.
- Higher-specification cantilever than the Green4 — produced and selected to tighter tolerances for improved real-world channel separation, more precise stylus alignment, and better retrieval of fine low-level detail.
- Moving iron flux-bridger generator with twin magnet system — stationary coils, moving iron element. Extremely low moving mass. Four magnetic gaps for high efficiency and low inductance.
- Compatible with any standard MM phono input at 47kΩ — no step-up transformer or MC gain required. Works with built-in phono stages and any external MM phono preamplifier.
- Insensitive to tonearm cable capacitance — less demanding on phono stage matching than conventional moving magnet designs.
- OCC (Ohno Continuous Casting) copper internal signal path — continuous grain structure for improved signal transmission and consistent channel balance.
- User-replaceable stylus — snaps on and off without tools in under a minute. Replace a worn stylus without replacing the cartridge body.
- Prestige Series stylus cross-compatibility — all Grado Prestige styli (Green4, Gold4, Signature 8MZ, MCZ, TLZ, XTZ) fit any Prestige body. The Red4 body is a genuine upgrade platform.
- Balanced and controlled presentation — clear detail, smooth natural top end, midrange presence and body, defined low frequencies. Warm and musical rather than clinical.
- Available in standard half-inch mount (this page) and P-Mount (T4P) — separate listing.
- Die-injection molded housing for consistent acoustic behavior and reliable assembly.
- Hand-built in Brooklyn, New York by experienced Grado assemblers.
- Mounting format: Standard half-inch mount (P-Mount version also available)
- Type: Moving iron (high output), twin magnet flux-bridger generator
- Stylus: Bonded elliptical diamond
- Cantilever: Aluminum (higher specification than Green4)
- Output voltage: 4.0mV @ 5 CMV (45 degrees)
- Frequency response: 10 Hz–55 kHz
- Channel separation: Average 25 dB (10–30 kHz)
- Input load: 10k–47kΩ
- Inductance: 50mH
- DC resistance: 660Ω
- Compliance: 20 μm/mN
- Recommended tracking force: 1.6–1.9g
- Cartridge weight: 6g
- Stylus: User-replaceable; cross-compatible with all Grado Prestige Series styli
- Internal signal path: OCC copper
- Housing: Die-injection molded plastic
- Country of origin: USA (Brooklyn, NY)
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