View Full Version : AT31E
Ali Tait
29-12-2014, 17:55
Had one of these stashed away and have just plumbed it in. Bloody hell this is a nice cart!
Firebottle
29-12-2014, 18:54
More details please - MM or MC, what are its peers?
:cool: Alan
Ali Tait
29-12-2014, 19:08
MC. A good few years since it was made, 90's possibly. Unusual in that the stylus is removeable. LP Gear have new replacements at $179, might invest in one once I'm back working.
Think it's the best cart I've had in my system so far, including the ZYX.
You just reminded me I've got one of these -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDIO-TECHNICA-AT30E-G-CARTRIDGE-AT630-TRANSFORMER-AT30GTR-HEADSHELL-/291331155122?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item43d4b0a4b2
Had from new, I'll try it in the Sony later.
Ali Tait
29-12-2014, 19:27
Not a lot of info out there, but the 30/31 seem to be well regarded. Let me know what you think Roy.
Not a lot of info out there, but the 30/31 seem to be well regarded. Let me know what you think Roy.
Will do Ali. Assume you've seen the bit on Vinylengine? 'Completely hand assembled' apparently
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/audio-technica/at30e.shtml
Ali Tait
29-12-2014, 19:45
I hadn't, interesting, thanks. I'd looked at the 31 on there. They both use the same body I think, just different stylii.
Thebiglebowski
30-12-2014, 21:10
I had one of these for a while as it came fitted to a Rega R200 on a Mantra I bought for peanuts. I can't stand AT carts but was really impressed with how good it sounded. The guy who sold the deck had replaced the stylus and then painted the whole cart with blue gloss paint as the replacement stylus was a different colour to the body. Looked bloody awful but sounded great, think I gave it away in the end to someone who was just starting out in vinyl on the Naim forum (and got a warning from the mod for offering something for free on the naim forum)
Ali Tait
30-12-2014, 21:31
Aye, still liking it, great bass for an MC.
I can only reinforce what's been said already, I have an AT30E which I bought in the mid 1980's. I replaced the stylus in 1990 due to a slight channel imbalance and it's been ploughing my vinyl grooves ever since with great sound. I think the difference between the AT30E and the 31E was just the stylus profile. The 31E was the upgraded version. Happy new year.
Ali Tait
01-01-2015, 12:43
Guess you like it then, having kept it that long!
Happy new year to you too.
Jimmy Hughes loved the AT30 and gave me a fairly worn one with crushed lugs. One of the coils has come away from the stylus assembly now, but I remember the sound as having the usual 'AT Sparkle,' (I liked it a lot but can understand others not). The 31E was also reviewed in one of the HFC compilation books and was very much liked for it's far better mannered performance.
If any of you have got one of these two, I think they fetch a ton or more on fleabay, so multiples of their cost when new I think from memory :) Both should be great if the arm isn't too massy IIRC.
Ali Tait
01-01-2015, 13:16
I'm using mine with a headshell weight, maybe I should try it without.
IIRC AT stopped producing these carts because replacement styli cost nigh on as much as the cart body to manufacture. Plaudits to LPGear for providing a replacement at such a reasonable price.
think I gave it away in the end to someone who was just starting out in vinyl on the Naim forum (and got a warning from the mod for offering something for free on the naim forum)
Seriously? :stalks::stalks::stalks: Can you tell that story please?
Ali, can we have some pics, please, of the AT ‘in situ’? It’s been a while since we’ve seen pics of your T/T, anyway! :)
Marco.
Ali Tait
02-01-2015, 16:26
Sure, will put some up.
Put the AT30E/G (in it's dedicated LS12 headshell) on the Sony just now, very little sound with the supplied AT630 transformer (assume it's not working) so plugged it straight into my Graham Slee phono stage (MM only) & turned the volume up. Initial impressions are that I prefer my Ortofon Red (but I haven't set the AT up properly)
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss68/Lodger56/ls12cart_zps7b1adb78.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss68/Lodger56/LS12_zps2ba9f2bd.jpg
Floyddroid
03-01-2015, 13:05
Aye, me sons got one. It;s a cracker.
Had one of these stashed away and have just plumbed it in. Bloody hell this is a nice cart!
Sure, will put some up.
:popcorn: ;)
Marco.
Put the AT30E/G (in it's dedicated LS12 headshell) on the Sony just now, very little sound with the supplied AT630 transformer (assume it's not working) so plugged it straight into my Graham Slee phono stage (MM only) & turned the volume up. Initial impressions are that I prefer my Ortofon Red (but I haven't set the AT up properly)
I guarantee the 47k loading of the Slee isn't anywhere close to ideal for that cart.
It's curious that the SUT doesn't seem to work... There's not much in there to go wrong other than connections.
Ali Tait
03-01-2015, 18:00
What would you load it at?
Ali Tait
03-01-2015, 18:03
:popcorn: ;)
Marco.
I'll get round to mate, bloody spring has just broken on the car, looks like it's wrecked the tyre too. Argghh!
I guarantee the 47k loading of the Slee isn't anywhere close to ideal for that cart.
That'll be why my Krell pre was only two LEDs from maximum :eek:. Will try it with another phono stage I have that's switchable to MCs when I get chance.
I'll get round to mate, bloody spring has just broken on the car, looks like it's wrecked the tyre too. Argghh!
I feel that pain Ali. It was a new set of tyres and a spring for me the week before our hols. Then an unexpected dental bill in the USA and an ongoing row with the insurers.
It's gonna be a lean start to the new year and all hifi spends on hold for the time being.
Ali Tait
03-01-2015, 20:07
Aye, it's a bugger. Hope you enjoyed your holiday otherwise mate.
Mr Kipling
03-01-2015, 20:57
I pretty sure the 30/31 were modestly-priced high-output mcs designed for 47K loading. I had a 31 and it seemed to display the typical AT sort-of sound - or maybe I didn't have it loaded right! I can have a look in my 'Answers. I remember Jimmy Hughes mentioning it.
Ali Tait
03-01-2015, 21:05
Not that high output-
http://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge_database.php?m=Audio+Technica&t=any&mod=At31e&sort=2&Search=Search&sty=&ovlo=&ovhi=&can=&dclo=&dchi=&stid=&masslo=&masshi=¬es=&prlo=&prhi=
Mr Kipling
03-01-2015, 21:21
I don't mind admitting when I'm wrong.
Ali Tait
03-01-2015, 21:27
Think you are right about the modestly priced bit, but I'm enjoying what this cart does.
I'll get round to mate, bloody spring has just broken on the car, looks like it's wrecked the tyre too. Argghh!
Ooops…. The ‘joys’ of motoring. Trust me, I know all about it! Hope you resolve it soon, mate, and at reasonable expense :)
Marco.
Ali Tait
03-01-2015, 21:42
It's the fact that the tyres are new, only done about 50 miles on them that boils ma piss!
What would you load it at?
I'd start at 470ohm and work down from there.
I pretty sure the 30/31 were modestly-priced high-output mcs designed for 47K loading.
Most likely not -- It has a recommended 20ohm loading, although it's not specified if that's resistive or inductive, I can't possibly imagine a resistive load that low.
But more telling, it was also packaged with the AT630 SUT, which was made specifically for the AT30E and -31E. So if they went through the bother of having a dedicated SUT... :)
There was an AT-30HE, a HOMC version of the cart, that would be more suited to a MM stage with a 47K load resistor.
It's the fact that the tyres are new, only done about 50 miles on them that boils ma piss!
No wonder, I’d be the same, especially as the ones I use on my car cost nearly £250 a pop!
I feel for ya, dude.. Have you ever considered taking out something such as MasterService tyre warranty, from ATS? That’s what I’ve got now, and it covers you for all sorts of stuff, including if you get a blowout on the motorway, someone comes out and replaces your tyre, and fits it, free of charge and/or tows you to the nearest ATS to get the job done!
It only costs about £35 (as a one-off payment) - well worth it, IMO :)
Marco.
Ali Tait
03-01-2015, 22:17
I'll look into that mate, cheers. I'd fitted winter tyres, Nokian WR A3's.
Typical, when you’re trying to do the right thing :doh:
I’d defo recommend MasterService tyre warranty, though. You even get free wheel balancing with it! Details here: http://www.atseuromaster.co.uk/tyres/tyre-warranty
Marco.
Ali Tait
03-01-2015, 22:23
Cheers.
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