Aeon4 Description Aeon4 sits within the Grado Lineage Series as a direct expression of the design principles that define the line. Developed through decades of cartridge refinement, it delivers a highly resolved and controlled presentation while maintaining the musical balance that defines Grado cartridges. Built around Grado’s patented moving iron flux-bridger system, Aeon4 brings together speed, stability, and tonal density in a design intended for systems that demand both precision and musicality. Offered in both stereo and mono configurations, Aeon4 continues the evolution of Grado’s wood body cartridges. Specifications Body - Brazilian Ebony Wood Cantilever - Sapphire/Shibata Diamond Output - 1.0mV @ 5 CMV (45 degrees) Controlled Frequency Response - 5 Hz - 70 KHz Channel Separation - Avg. 30db, 10-30K Hz Input Load - 10-47k ohms Inductance - 8mH Resistance - 74 ohms Cartridge Weight - 10.5 grams Tracking Force - 1.6 -1.9 grams Compliance - 20 μm/mN Performance Aeon4 is a low output moving iron cartridge designed for use with high-gain phono stages. Its presentation is defined by clarity, control, and balance. Detail is presented with precision while maintaining a smooth and composed top end. The midrange carries natural weight and presence, and low frequencies are delivered with definition and authority. Complex passages are resolved cleanly, with strong separation and stable imaging. The overall presentation remains composed and coherent, allowing the structure and character of the recording to come through. Flux-Bridger Moving Iron Design All Grado cartridges utilize a moving iron design built on Joseph Grado’s patented flux-bridger principle. This approach allows the cartridge to generate a precise signal with extremely low moving mass, while keeping the coil structure fixed. The result is a presentation that combines speed, control, and harmonic integrity without the fragility often associated with traditional moving coil systems. The design also ensures long-term consistency, maintaining performance over time without degradation of the internal signal path. Diamond & Cantilever Aeon4 features a nude Shibata diamond mounted to a sapphire cantilever. The Shibata profile is highly effective at retrieving detail from the groove, offering exceptional contact and resolution while maintaining a natural, unforced presentation. Paired with a sapphire cantilever—known for its rigidity and resistance to deformation—the system delivers clarity, extension, and stability across the frequency range. Coil & Internal Structure The internal signal path is built using ultra-high purity 7N OCC copper, selected for its conductivity and consistency. Each cartridge undergoes cryogenic treatment during both component preparation and final assembly, helping to stabilize materials and optimize performance. The internal structure is carefully damped to reduce unwanted resonance and vibration, allowing the cartridge to extract information from the groove with minimal interference. The result is a signal that remains coherent, balanced, and dynamically responsive. Housing The Aeon4 is housed in a Brazilian Ebony wood body. Beyond its visual presence, the wood plays a role in controlling resonance and contributing to the cartridge’s tonal balance. The structure has been refined to reduce mass while improving compatibility across a wider range of tonearms. The form also improves visibility of the cantilever during setup, allowing for more precise alignment. Wood Cartridge Upgrade Program Grado wood body cartridges are supported through our Wood Cartridge Upgrade Program. This program allows you to move from your current Grado wood cartridge to another model, with a pricing accommodation provided through the program. The program applies exclusively to Grado wood body cartridges, and pricing is based on the model being purchased. For details and current pricing, please contact us and state the model you are interested in purchasing.
