I use a AT33ML/OCC. Better than a OC9 to my ears. Cleaner midrange and more frequency extension.
AT cartridges
Having replaced my long-serving AT 0c9 in the past four months, with three successive and newer AT cartridges I wish to report.
The 0c9 was for two decades polite and competent, if sonically uninspiring.
The first successor, an 0c9ML/11, boldly increased sonic clarity, an unveiling relative to the 0c9, but at the expense of a hardness, more precisely a lack of timber and harmonics evident throughout the frequency range but most noticeable in the somewhat exaggerated treble.
The second successor, a 33SA, brought a kind of epiphany....'this is what the vinyl resurgence is all about'. The frequency range was extended, the highs were now wonderfully sweet even if still exaggerated, and resonance at all frequencies was dramatically increased. The majisterial sound of a grand piano throughout its seven octaves, the velvet strains of a fine violin....listening was immensely pleasurable.
The 33SA's virtues kindled an unquenchable curiosity. If adding $350.00 to the cost of the 0c9ML/11 had such effect, what might surpassing the cost of the 33SA by a similar increment achieve?
The third successor, an ART9, brought further improvement, not as dramatic as the previous purchase had, but justifying the cost paid.
The improvement was to my ear two-fold.
The resonance and sweet treble of the 33SA were maintained, but clarity...clarity manifest as more detailed and explicitly rendered timber and harmonics...was improved throughout the audible frequency range. Performance was now uniform throughout that frequency range, what might be described as sonic neutrality. One might imagine a canvas with heightened contrast, and now without areas less attended to by the artist.
So in respect of these four AT cartridges I acknowledge the discussant who stated 'with cartridges its all in the price list...the cost tells the relative quality'.
Regarding those costs, I believe the lowest currently available are from Juno Records in London, UK. Recent Juno Records sale price for the 0c9ML/11 was $355.00, for the 33SA was $625.00, for the ART9 was $906.00....add about $5.00 for shipping....there is no tax.
Additional comments...I know several exist...regarding the quality and value of the AT cartridges relative to those of other MC cartridge manufactures are always welcome.
The 0c9 was for two decades polite and competent, if sonically uninspiring.
The first successor, an 0c9ML/11, boldly increased sonic clarity, an unveiling relative to the 0c9, but at the expense of a hardness, more precisely a lack of timber and harmonics evident throughout the frequency range but most noticeable in the somewhat exaggerated treble.
The second successor, a 33SA, brought a kind of epiphany....'this is what the vinyl resurgence is all about'. The frequency range was extended, the highs were now wonderfully sweet even if still exaggerated, and resonance at all frequencies was dramatically increased. The majisterial sound of a grand piano throughout its seven octaves, the velvet strains of a fine violin....listening was immensely pleasurable.
The 33SA's virtues kindled an unquenchable curiosity. If adding $350.00 to the cost of the 0c9ML/11 had such effect, what might surpassing the cost of the 33SA by a similar increment achieve?
The third successor, an ART9, brought further improvement, not as dramatic as the previous purchase had, but justifying the cost paid.
The improvement was to my ear two-fold.
The resonance and sweet treble of the 33SA were maintained, but clarity...clarity manifest as more detailed and explicitly rendered timber and harmonics...was improved throughout the audible frequency range. Performance was now uniform throughout that frequency range, what might be described as sonic neutrality. One might imagine a canvas with heightened contrast, and now without areas less attended to by the artist.
So in respect of these four AT cartridges I acknowledge the discussant who stated 'with cartridges its all in the price list...the cost tells the relative quality'.
Regarding those costs, I believe the lowest currently available are from Juno Records in London, UK. Recent Juno Records sale price for the 0c9ML/11 was $355.00, for the 33SA was $625.00, for the ART9 was $906.00....add about $5.00 for shipping....there is no tax.
Additional comments...I know several exist...regarding the quality and value of the AT cartridges relative to those of other MC cartridge manufactures are always welcome.