Audio Technica cartridges (MM)
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Turntable Audio
Forum Name: MM: Moving Magnet | MC: Moving Coil
Forum Description: Learn about the differences between moving magnet and moving coil cartridges here
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2151
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 1:05am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Audio Technica cartridges (MM)
Posted By: Lucabeer
Subject: Audio Technica cartridges (MM)
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2014 at 3:25pm
Hi all!
I am currently using an AT91 on my oldish and cheap Pioneer PL-335 turntable. Sounds fine, but I guess it could do better in terms of highs distortion.
I have listened to the AT95, which sounds fine (not tried on my turntable, though).
Without going too crazily expensive (wouldn't make sense on a basic turntable), could you suggest me the best upgrade? I like Audio Technica's sound signature (more out of habit I would say) and would like to stay with the same brand.
The options are:
AT95E/BL
AT100E
AT5V
AT120E
in order of cost. Well, actually the AT120E is already a bit out of budget...
Bear in mind that, as I said, my turntable is not particularly sophisticated (although it works fine), and it has standard tonearm (quite lightweight and plasticy).
I listen to old jazz records (many from '50s and '60s, some quite worn due to having been played on turntables with not perfect settings) and rock/electronica. Occasionally, some classical/symphonic.
Can someone kind and experienced enough explain to me the pros and cons of the cartridges I have listed above?
Thanks!
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Replies:
Posted By: Lucabeer
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2014 at 3:28pm
Of course sound quality, traking and ease of use (=not a "fussy" cartridge, but a tolerant one) are all important.
I prefer a slightly warmer sound, which doesn't mean that I don't like highs... only that I don't like brightness.
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Posted By: CageyH
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2014 at 7:25pm
I loved my AT95E.
It's now been replaced by an AT150MLX, but the AT95E served me well.
As far as bang for buck goes, it is hard to beat.
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Posted By: Lucabeer
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2014 at 9:05am
I have been looking at specs, and now I am in doubt between the AT95E and the AT100E.
I see that the AT100E has a lower recommended tracking force (optimal: 1.4 grams) vs the AT95E (around 2 grams). Would it be a good choice for my oldish and lightweight turntable?
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Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2014 at 1:09pm
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I'd say the higher VTF of the 95E was going to be slightly more suitable. As VTF decreases you need a better performing tonearm, in my experience.
Going with a 95E does leave you with an upgrade path if you consider the stylii produced by (or for) US retailer LPGear. They do a range of AT95 models with this one being at the top:
http://www.lpgear.com/product/LPGAT95SA.html - http://www.lpgear.com/product/LPGAT95SA.html
I have the p-mount version of this Shibata shod cartridge and it is very good; it'll certainly elevate the 95 way above the basic model - which is very good in itself for the price. Obviously you'd keep your body and just upgrade the stylus (if you went down this route).
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Bob
Majestic DAC/pre-amp
Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V
Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50
2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links
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Posted By: Lucabeer
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2014 at 1:14pm
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2014 at 2:46pm
AT95E: one of my all-time favourites!
Graham
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That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps
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Posted By: Lucabeer
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2014 at 8:06am
I got an "offer I couldn't refuse" for an AT440MLa... which should be an improvement even on the AT95E due to its specially shaped stylus.
I'll let you know my impressions next week when it arrives, although I bet it will only really shine when the Reflex M will arrive too!
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Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2014 at 10:33am
I had a 440MLa for a while. Great cartridge, really detailed sound. Unfortunately, mine generated a lot of hum, and on returning it to the dealer it was found to be defective. I'm afraid I declined a replacement and moved on to a new-old-stock Pickering cartridge . . . But I'm sure yours will be fine!
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Bob
Majestic DAC/pre-amp
Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V
Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50
2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links
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Posted By: Lucabeer
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2014 at 10:56pm
Got the 440MLa today. Nice cartridge, lots of detail compared to the previous one! A bit bright maybe... No, not bright... because mids and bass are perfect: simply now I notice highs (cymbals and snares) which previously were "hidden". I have read that it gets warmer with some burning in, though. It's incredible how well it tracks with very little surface noise at a mere 1.4 grams, anyway!
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Posted By: Lucabeer
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2014 at 9:01pm
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After 30 hours, the AT440MLa is starting to shine, with the top end getting more mellow and tamed. Personally I found that going from 1.4 to 1.5 gave me a good improvement, and now it sounds perfectly to my taste. Good tight bass, and detailed but not fatiguing high frequencies. And did I mention the great tracking? Now enjoying Random Access Memories by Daft Punk, and previously Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers!
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Posted By: Lucabeer
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2014 at 10:47am
At approximately 100 hours, the AT440MLa is definitely sounding great, and with the Reflex M it's a very nice match. The slight brightness of the first hours has completely disappeared, and now it's very balanced with nice bass (powerful but tight) and detailed but not fatiguing highs. No inner groove distortion at all (well, just a bit with some very old and worn vinyls, like "The long and winding road" from a 40 years old and heavily played copy of The Beatles 1967-1970... but I suspect that might be due to groove wear). It tracks like a champ, even on records which had been skipping before (such as the very problematic "The woman in red" by Stevie Wonder).
Only minor complaint: the microline stylus tends to catch all sort of crap which might be hiding in the grooves, so please clean your vinyls well.
Overall I am very satisfied by this cartridge, and while it must be aligned well to give its best, it was not particularly hard to do so with the correct tools. If you have some cash to spend (not much compared to the crazy prices of MC, actually), give it a try and give it time to mellow out before judging it.
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Posted By: fixedwheel
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2014 at 2:19pm
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Great to have a detailed review.
Much like anybody else, I think the AT-95e is a stonking bargain at the entry level, but it is nice to know more about the next level up, where the extra funds do seem to buy a lot of extra performance.
And with a cartridge lasting for a 1,000 - 1,500 albums, it's not the kind of thing you do often enough to do many side-by-side comparisons
Cheers
John
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Cheers
John
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Posted By: Lucabeer
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2014 at 9:35am
Yes, I would definitely recommend the 440MLa! By the way, after break-in period, I have reverted to the recommended 1.4 grams. No need to go to 1.5 (although manufacturer says that up to 1.8 grams is fine).
Only "complaint" so far, is that it's VERY sensitive to dust/dirt on the vinyl, due to the slim profile of the stylus and its large contact area. On the other hand, it handles old and worn records very well.
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Posted By: Lucabeer
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2014 at 8:29pm
Extremely surprised about the performance of this cartridge.
I have found in my father's collection a very old record by Sy Oliver, marred by a HUGE very visible scratch that crosses a whole side of the record.
Well... Guess what? NO audible pops. The scratch is quite wide, but probably not very deep, and the 440 rides lower in the groove thanks to the microline profile, so it's not affected by it. A pleasant surprise!
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Posted By: Lucabeer
Date Posted: 03 May 2014 at 2:17pm
Technics seems (seemed?) to know quite a bit!
Having recently acquired a used Technics 1210 Mk2, I can now play with the vertical heigth of the tonearm. My previous Pioneer offered no adjustment in this department.
Many people on various web forums say that the AT440MLa works better riding with the back of the arm very low, somehow taming its propensity to "hot" highs.
WRONG.
The cartridge has an height of 17.5 mm approximately, so according to the 1210 Mk2 manual the arm height should be set at 2-2.5 mm. Well, I have set it at 1.5 mm instead of the default 0 mm with which I had been using it so far. And indeed it sounds better, richer and fuller.
So don't trust people on the web, trust Technics!
And by the way, now it passes the Hi-Fi News test record. The last track of side A (the torture track) distorts, but the stylus no longer skips and the torture track is completed without the needle jumping away.
For the record: AT440MLa with 400 hours on it, tracking at 1.45 grams, 1.7 antiskate (the value which gives better distortion on the hard tests of the Hi-Fi News test record), aligned with Baerwald.
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Posted By: BackinBlack
Date Posted: 03 May 2014 at 7:45pm
Luca,
I definitely agree with your findings. Althouh my AT440MLa only has a few hours on it I find it tracks and sounds much better with the back of the cartridge just a little high. This is contrary to what I have been used to with Ortofon cartridges which are usually better with a tail down attitude.
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Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it.
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