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Four MC Phono Cartridges

I am going to upgrade the cartridge on my Technics SL1200G turntable. The turntable is connected to my Mac C2500 Tube Preamp. The Mac preamp had both mm and mc and I can change the mc cartridge loading on the fly via remote and also adjust gain. Presently I am using my ZU Denon DL103 cartridge. I am tired of the sound as I have owned this cartridge for 11 years.

I have narrowed my choices down to the following:

Dynavector DV20X2L. Low output MC. I had the previous itineration of
this on a VPI Scout and loved it.
Audio Technica AT-OC9XSL. Low output MC
Audio Technica. AT-ART9XA. Low output MC
Audio Technica. AT-ART9XI. Low output MC


I do not know the difference between the ART9XA and the ART9XI, can someone enlighten me on it? Would going from my ZU Denon to the OC9 XSL be a sideway move or a good one? Or, would one of the ART9 cartridges be better? Please explain why.

I am only interested in these 4 cartridges, no others. I have been researching for a year. Still don’t know which ones are compatible with the Magnesium arm on the Technics. Lastly, my phono preamp works with low output MC down to .1 mv.
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Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,245 posts
 
from your list, I would go for the ATart9xi

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-gb/at-art9xi

because it has both very tight channel balance of 0.5 db, and excellent channel separation of 30 db as well as a boron cantilever (the stiffest I will go), and a higher signal output

The tighter the channel balance, the tighter the phantom images that create imaging anywhere between the l/r speakers are, improved distinctness.

wide separation is also a nice way to get more distinction, great imaging for the majority of content.

Sometimes, for too wide (i.e. Bill Evans Live at the Village Vanguard which has a huge hole in the middle)

I use my alternate mc with only 25 db separation (still has tight channel balance)

and/or alter my toe-in to toe-in X, which lets me use my ’too-wide’ cartridge on a non-removable arm.

left speaker aimed toward right listener/right speaker aimed at left listener. you are nearer one speaker, but getting more direct projection from the opposite side. 2 off-center listeners get a stereo image, center and both sides, not too wide.

btw, I went with AT33PTG/II and love it.
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