Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702
Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2
It's nice to see Audio Technica cartridges get some love. They've been making absolutely awesome cartridges for yonks.
AT95e
AT120
AT33PTG
AT33PTGII
AT33SA
AT-OC9II
ART7
Any of those to fit your budgets would be a superb listen and you have to spend big to outdo them in an outright manner.
Enjoyed the thread, the new models look great for the money.
Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702
Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2
Location: Near Saffron Walden, Essex
Posts: 7,090
I'm Dave.
Audio Technica are very good value and one of the reasons is that they make everything themselves and not buy in parts as many other 'manufacturers' do.
Listening to my partner Helen's 1976 Sony Music centre tonight which has a Garrard SP25 TT. I have strapped the AT95EX stylus into this and have been listening over the last few months to this amazing cartridge. It really is superb value for money considering it was about £30. The tonal quality and body is spot on and delivers a very good performance that definitely punches above its weight.
If your were a newby venturing out into the analogue world and wanted to start with something decent that gave a good account of what vinyl is all about this cartridge does it. Nothing really missing that takes away any enjoyment apart from some top end info and probably a little audiophile 'air' but what it does deliver in spades is musicality. It is one of those cartridges that has an even handed approach with almost any music with little fuss.
Today I have listened to Jazz, Classical and electronic music and the AT95EX delivered a measured performance with each genre that engaged you and simply gave you a pleasurable listening experience. This was so relaxing compared to listening to hyper analytical audiophile stuff that has you twitching on the edge of your seat whilst you tick boxes in your mind over what it does or does not reveal.
Today I simply enjoyed the music, free form worrying I was missing something or what I was listening too was not audiophile. Surely in the end thats what HIFI should really be all about.
Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702
Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2
Location: South Yorkshire
Posts: 2,683
I'm Andre.
I know a good AT cart from the past that is under the radar
Location: South Yorkshire
Posts: 2,683
I'm Andre.
Its a secret
Location: South Yorkshire
Posts: 2,683
I'm Andre.
O go on then The original '100E' not the later one.
Here is the Shibata Styli not the cheaper Ellipticals
https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATS12S.html