Cartridges — Audio-Technica AT33xMLD

The AT33xMLD belongs to the AT33x series, a set of five dual moving-coil cartridges introduced by Audio-Technica on 27 October 2025 and made by hand in Japan. At USD 799 it sits between the boron-cantilever AT33xMLB and the elliptical AT33xEN. Its combination is a microlinear nude stylus fitted to a high-hardness duralumin tapered pipe cantilever, and Audio-Technica names rock and jazz records, especially those cut in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, as the material it was voiced for.

Key specs that matter

Output voltage is 0.4 mV at 1 kHz and 5 cm/sec, with an output balance of 1.0 dB and 27 dB of channel separation at 1 kHz. The quoted frequency range is 20 to 42,000 Hz. The stylus tip radius is 2.2 x 0.12 mil. Coil impedance is 12 ohm at 1 kHz, DC resistance is also 12 ohm, and inductance is 26 microhenry at 1 kHz. Audio-Technica lists a static compliance of 21 x 10-6 cm/dyne and a dynamic compliance of 6 x 10-6 cm/dyne at 100 Hz. Vertical tracking force ranges from 1.8 to 2.2 g, nominally 2.0 g, at a 19 degree vertical tracking angle. The cartridge weighs 10.1 g and measures 16.1 x 16.6 x 26.1 mm, and its M2.6 threaded holes accept screws directly.

Engineering and use context

A newly developed suspension uses piano wire to hold the cantilever, and Audio-Technica says it improves tracking accuracy while bringing dynamic compliance slightly below that of its other cartridges. The pipe cantilever is intended to give firm control over high frequencies. Two separate coils of PCOCC copper, one for each channel, carry the signal, and the magnetic field comes from a neodymium magnet working with a permendur yoke. The composite housing is built from zinc die-casting, aluminium and a rigid polymer, and the zinc forms the base of the cartridge, where its density and rigidity damp vibration in the mid and low frequency range. Thick gold plating on the four terminal pins reduces contact resistance at the headshell leads. Owners cannot swap the stylus themselves, so servicing is handled through the paid Audio-Technica Moving Coil Exchange Program.

Pairing

Because the signal is low, the MLD needs an MC-capable phono input or a step-up stage, and Audio-Technica asks for a load of at least 100 ohm. Supplied parts include a non-magnetic screwdriver, a cleaning brush, a pair of washers, M2.6 screws in 8.0, 10.0 and 13.0 mm lengths (two of each) and a protective cover.

Alternatives

The AT33xEN, priced at USD 699, replaces the microlinear tip with a 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical nude stylus on a similar duralumin tapered pipe.