Grado Prestige Gold4 - Black

Description

Top of the Prestige 4 Series: Fine-Grade Selection

Grado Labs presents the Gold4 as the highest level of performance within the Prestige series. It shares the same Flux-Bridger architecture, aluminum cantilever, bonded elliptical diamond, and die-injection-molded body as the Green4 and Red4. The difference is selection: the Gold4's stylus and mechanical components are picked from the finest units in Prestige production for a more resolved, more controlled presentation — particularly on complex, layered recordings.

Flux-Bridger Moving-Iron Design and Aluminum Cantilever

Joseph Grado's Flux-Bridger principle keeps the coil structure fixed while reducing the effective moving mass of the generating system, delivering swift transient response without the fragility associated with moving-coil designs. The aluminum cantilever maintains stable groove contact and faithfully transmits stylus motion to the internal coils. The die-injection-molded body supports consistent construction and long-term mechanical reliability.

5N OCC Copper Coils With Cryogenic Treatment

The Gold4's internal signal path is built with ultra-high-purity 5N OCC copper, selected for its conductivity and consistency from unit to unit. The cartridge body undergoes cryogenic treatment and targeted internal damping to reduce unwanted mechanical resonances. This construction supports an average channel separation of 25 dB across the 10-30,000 Hz range for stable stereo imaging.

High Output and Broad System Compatibility

With a 4 mV output at 5 cm/s and a 10-to-47 kOhm working load, the Gold4 pairs directly with the built-in MM phono stages found on integrated amplifiers and with standalone MM phono preamplifiers, with no step-up transformer required. Its body weighs 6 grams and fits standard 1/2" tonearm headshells. Rated frequency response runs from 10 to 55,000 Hz, with recommended tracking force between 1.6 and 1.9 grams.

Common Questions

Does the Gold4 work with my amplifier?

Yes. With a 4 mV output at 5 cm/s and a 10-to-47 kOhm working load, the Gold4 plugs directly into any moving-magnet (MM) phono input or preamplifier. No step-up transformer or dedicated MC stage is required.

What is the recommended tracking force?

Grado specifies a tracking force between 1.6 and 1.9 grams for the Prestige Gold4. Setting the force accurately with a stylus gauge delivers a neutral frequency balance and stable tracking through complex passages.

Can I replace the stylus myself?

Yes — the Prestige series stylus assembly detaches easily and swaps in without removing the cartridge from the tonearm. Replacement styli are interchangeable across the Prestige models (Black, Green, Red, Blue, Gold).

How does the Gold4 differ from the Green4 and Red4?

All three cartridges share the same Flux-Bridger architecture, aluminum cantilever, bonded elliptical diamond, and die-injection-molded body. The difference is selection: the Green4 uses the standard-grade stylus, the Red4 uses a stylus graded for tighter channel symmetry, and the Gold4 gets the finest selection — stylus and mechanical components picked from the top of Prestige production. Measured specs (4 mV output, 10-47 kOhm load, 1.6-1.9 g tracking force, 10-55,000 Hz response) are identical across the three models.

What's in the Box

Grado Prestige Gold4 phono cartridge (standard 1/2" mount)

Removable stylus guard

Mounting hardware

Documentation