Time to replace my AT33-PTG, but what with?

[lovejoy]

Hi guys,
Like a few of you at the time I got my hands on a bargain AT-33PTG in around 2008 for around £180 delivered. It's given me many hours of listening pleasure but is now sadly worn and sounding a bit rough, so time for a replacement.

Just wondering what other people moved on to from here. Looking at current prices it seems that you need to spend £400+ just to remain at the same level which is a bit painful. Anyone know of any current bargains, or recommend a good move. I've been pondering an Ortofon 2M bronze or black, but the move back to an MM from an MC seems dangerous. Anyone else done this?

Thanks for any thoughts and advice.

The deck is a Well Tempered Classic BTW.

[julesd68]

Hi Rich - what kind of music do you listen to on your TT?

[Theo]

Hi Rich
One option would be a re-tip. ESCo work with AT carts, as do (I believe) North West Analogue. You might be looking at £250+, but for that price you'd probably get a better tip than the standard AT one. It's worth chatting to Wyndham at Esco or Dom at NWA for their thoughts.

[lovejoy]

Quite a heavy acoustic and folk bias - Richard Thompson, Burt Jansch, Joanna Newsom, but quite often somewhat heavier - Led Zep, Foo Fighters, Ministry, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. So more guitars than anything else.

The only stuff I don't tend to listen to is classical, opera, or dance music. I guess I'm looking for something with good timing and dynamics foremost.

[julesd68]

Rich - if you love guitars you simply must try a good MM!

I have always used MM's but earlier this year I bought a couple of MC's (ZYX + Ortofon) to try with a SUT. They worked very well with the classical music I like, but were completely lost with the likes of Led Zep and Rush that I also enjoy! There was just no drive or urgency to the drums and guitars. I switched back to a really good MM and now have a cart that I can enjoy with all sorts of music.

[lovejoy]

Thanks guys. Two interesting pieces of food for thought I'd not considered.

A re-tip is a great idea as I always enjoyed the AT so given a good quality diamond replacement it should be a safe bet. I am intrigued by the thought of a good MM though. I've never heard an MM that cost in excess of £100 but I did fit an Ortofon 2M Red to a mates deck just before Christmas and I was amazed by just how good it sounded for the money, which was what made me think of the 2M bronze or black. So could this be the way to go or would you recommend any other MMs?

[Audio Al]

This one sounded very sweet at the WW show

http://www.moving-coil-cartridges.co...ing-eroica.htm

[Audio Al]

And this MM was highly recommended by Origin Live

http://www.moving-coil-cartridges.co...ector-10x5.htm

[julesd68]

I have not heard one myself but your safest bet might be a 2M Black - if for some reason you don't get on with it, you'll be able to pass it on very easily as you hardly ever see them come up on the used market, which tells you something about how good they must be.

My Garrott P77i is superb and comparable my old Nagaoka MP-50. Only issue is that you'll have to order one from Australia!

You've got the whole Nagaoka range to look at and you might even find an older NOS one if you keep your eyes open on ebay.

[Audioman]

I listen to rock, folk rock and female vocals and little Classical. Would never go back to a MM. The few exceptions even worth considering are in MC territory price wise. Jules did you consider that the limp sound may be down to the SUT. A solid state MC stage may provide a bit more grit and drive for rock depending on what sound balance floats your boat.

Unless you go down to MC's around £250 -£350 which include Goldring Eroica LX, AT F7 or Ortofon Rhondo Red you are looking at the £400+ range. Cheapest of which is the Denon DL304 at bang on £400 but need a MC stage that can handle it's very low output. You could look for a new old stock Ortofon MC25FL which still won't be as good as what you now have but won't be miles of the pace. US seller Needle Doctor still have the AT0C9 mk II at $499 (£330) which should be fairly close sound wise to the AT33pgt.