WiredState Audio Community

by **corrsty** » Fri May 09, 2003 5:24 pm

Any experience/comments/opinions on this cartridge? Is it a good buy at USD89.95?

Thanks.

by **arnoldc** » Fri May 09, 2003 5:28 pm

yeah, anyone please? i'd be interested to find out too. can it rock? :twisted:

by **Noam** » Sat May 10, 2003 6:20 am

I had one for a while on a Grace 707/Ariston RD11s. (very low mass arm, sprung 'table)

The AT440ML didn't really do very much for me. In theory it should be great for the price.. it has a pseudo line-contact stylus. Maybe the synergy was just not there, I don't know. It sounded "fine" and that became my 2nd system (at the office using headphones) until I sold the gear off.

I'd describe the sound as 'tipped up' and without enough bass. YMMV..

Noam

by **corrsty** » Mon May 12, 2003 11:42 am

Thanks Noam for your insight.

Your experience with this cart reflects some of the opinion of other Asylum members.....a bit on the bright side and lean sounding.

Thanks again.

by **corrsty** » Mon May 12, 2003 12:11 pm

btw Noam, what would you say the AT440ML's strenghts if there are any?

Thanks.

by **Noam** » Mon May 12, 2003 8:06 pm

corrsty wrote:btw Noam, what would you say the AT440ML's strenghts if there are any?

Thanks.

I guess they'd be:
- MM high output if that's what you need
- very compliant catilever, also typical of MM's. (makes it a good match for light arms)
- replaceable stylus. I guess that makes it a cartridge you could recommend to your mother :lol:

I can't list strengths in terms of sonics because I think your money would be better spent on a Grado or Shure (if under $100, or maybe a Goldring/Rega), and if you can spend a bit more and don't mind low output, definitely go for a Denon 103; it's worlds better.

Noam

by **red76** » Mon May 12, 2003 8:33 pm

corrtsy,

If you live in manila there is an Audio Technica AT-F3 MC cartidge (.35mV output, 100 Ohms loading, low compliance) at Audiophile San Marcelino right now. I bought mine 2 years ago for P1.2k. You would need a step-up transformer though.

The pic is a Mk11 version

red76

by **Racio** » Tue May 13, 2003 1:36 am

red76 wrote:corrtsy,

If you live in manila there is an Audio Technica AT-F3 MC cartidge (.35mV output, 100 Ohms loading, low compliance) at Audiophile San Marcelino right now. I bought mine 2 years ago for P1.2k. You would need a step-up transformer though.

red76

P1.2t?!!!!! :shock:

Please tell us more about it Red. How would you characterize its sonic character? TIA. I may just call Audiophile AliMall tomorrow about that cart.

by **red76** » Tue May 13, 2003 8:39 am

Hi Racio,

I'm not sure if they still have it at Ali Mall, although I saw some way back '99 pa. Unahan nalang kayo ni Corrtsy sa San Marcelino St. kung interesado rin siya! 1 left AFAIK!

Soundwise, it is very detailed but not but not distractingly and artificially so, it has ample fast tuneful punchy bass that goes deep enuff, but lacks bloom, air, extension, nuanced subtlety, and coherence compared to more expensive MC's. It doesn't have the so called easy going warmth of some venerated MMs like the Shure V series, but it has smooth highs and tracks very well with a medium to low mass arm (a latter Grace G-707) BTW, I made an error on my prior post, the cart. is MEDIUM to HIGH COMPLIANCE.

Only higher priced MC would of course sound much better and offer a more even balance. So if your system already tends to lean on very dry/thin side of neutral, with a forward or tilited upper mid/lower treble, this may not be the cartridge for you.

As always, you need a very good step-up device to get the most out of it to get the proper gain setting and a good impedance load match for your preamp/phonostage.

'Audiophile' may have jacked up the price a bit from 2 years ago, but maybe not that much since it is a bit NOS na (late 90's pa yung stock)

red76

by **corrsty** » Tue May 13, 2003 10:32 am

thanks again Noam

thanks red76 for the heads up!

knowing Racio, he works very fast....i'm sure he snagged that cart already

but i'm not sure those are the sonic characteristics he is looking for........

Racio, be happy with your Virtouso. :wink:

by **corrsty** » Tue May 13, 2003 11:38 am

hi red76,

are you still using your AT-F3 cart? What sort of music can it play? Will it be good for rock music?

btw, mind if you tell us your current turntable system?

thanks

by **Racio** » Wed May 14, 2003 4:38 am

corrsty wrote:thanks again Noam

thanks red76 for the heads up!

knowing Racio, he works very fast....i'm sure he snagged that cart already but i'm not sure those are the sonic characteristics he is looking for........

Racio, be happy with your Virtouso.

Edrich, it's yours for the taking dude. I was just surprised how relatively inexpensive it was. And yes, I'm more than satisfied w/ the V already. Thanks. :wink:

red76 wrote:-snipped-
Only higher priced MC would of course sound much better and offer a more even balance. So if your system already tends to lean on very dry/thin side of neutral, with a forward or tilited upper mid/lower treble, this may not be the cartridge for you.
-snipped-

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts w/ us Red.

by **red76** » Wed May 14, 2003 6:10 am

Hi corrtsy,

I have the F3 on stock right now along with a replinthed Thorens TD160 Super. I use a Grace G-707 with it, but I will replace/mount an SME 3009II Improved in the future. If I may add, what I have spinning now is a custom-plinthed Thorens TD124 w/ a Benz AceM and an SME 3009II non-improved early version. I have Platter Matter mat (not just for better vinyl grip, but also 'blocks' the magnetism of the heavy magnetic platter)

The F3 can play all types of music. I only described the 'sound' the best I can using certain audiophilic terms found in glossy hifi zines :wink:

In a very well balanced system it is a very good cartridge for the price.

red76

by **corrsty** » Wed May 14, 2003 1:33 pm

hey thanks red76 and very nice rig you got there

by **red76** » Wed May 14, 2003 6:08 pm

corrtsy wrote:

hey thanks red76 and very nice rig you got there

Nothing fancy... They are old/vintage slightly refurbed. ArnoldC has a more sophisticated setup: Oracle Delphi.

by **corrsty** » Wed May 14, 2003 6:32 pm

red, your thorens are highly collectible! i want one as well

btw, have you tried the SME 3012 on your 124s?
do you have audiophile's contact no.?

thanks!

by **red76** » Wed May 14, 2003 11:47 pm

red, your thorens are highly collectible! i want one as well
btw, have you tried the SME 3012 on your 124s?
do you have audiophile's contact no.?

I haven't tried the 12" version. BTW, I forgot to add that Audiophile San Marcelino (Phone# 528-4667) also has 1 brand new Shure V15 on stock when I passed by late last month.

by **corrsty** » Thu May 15, 2003 12:15 pm

thanks red76.

baka naman puede kaming makinig sa setup mo one of these days? I really want to listen to the thorens 124. :wink:

by **red76** » Thu May 15, 2003 6:33 pm

Corrtsy,

Check ur PM inbox.

by **stjohn** » Thu May 22, 2003 11:30 am

if you have heavy/massive arms, go for less compliance... and I'm sure this AT cart will be bettered by the Shure M97x (MM).

just my thoughts & expereince with compliant carts and heavy arms.

cheers
egay

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Audio-Technica AT-440ML Cartridge...opinions? comments?

Audio-Technica AT-440ML Cartridge...opinions? comments?

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