Головки звукоснимателя — Audio-Technica AT33xMLB

The AT33xMLB is one of the five AT33x dual moving-coil cartridges that Audio-Technica announced on 27 October 2025, carrying a US price of USD 899. The company describes the AT33x range as the first extensive overhaul of its long-running AT33 line in years, and every model is made by hand in Japan. This version combines a microlinear nude stylus with a solid boron cantilever, and Audio-Technica suggests it for records produced since the late 1970s and for orchestral recordings with large numbers of instruments.

Key specs that matter

The microlinear diamond has a tip radius of 2.2 x 0.12 mil. Rated output is 0.42 mV at 1 kHz and 5 cm/sec, channel separation is 27 dB at 1 kHz and output balance between channels is 1.0 dB. Frequency response runs from 20 Hz to 45,000 Hz. Coil impedance and DC resistance both measure 12 ohm, and coil inductance is 26 microhenry. Static compliance is 19 x 10-6 cm/dyne, while dynamic compliance at 100 Hz is 6 x 10-6 cm/dyne. Tracking force is set between 1.8 and 2.2 g with 2.0 g as standard, and the vertical tracking angle is 19 degrees. The body measures 16.6 x 16.0 x 26.1 mm and weighs 10.1 g.

Engineering and use context

Left and right channels each get their own coil wound from PCOCC (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting) wire, which is how Audio-Technica achieves the separation figure. A neodymium magnet and a permendur yoke form the magnetic circuit. The boron rod narrows along its length toward the stylus tip. Three materials make up the housing, namely zinc die-casting, aluminium and a stiff polymer, and the heavy zinc sits at the bottom of the body so that resonance is spread across the body rather than concentrated at one frequency. A newly developed suspension with a rubber damper lowers dynamic compliance slightly compared with other Audio-Technica cartridges, a change the maker links to compatibility with a wider range of tonearms. The terminal pins carry thick gold plating to cut contact resistance. Threaded holes in the body mean only two screws are needed for mounting. The stylus cannot be replaced by the owner, and worn units go through a fee-based Audio-Technica exchange programme instead.

Pairing

The low output calls for an MC phono input or a step-up device, and the recommended load is 100 ohm or more when a head amplifier is used. The box contains a protective stylus cover, installation screws in three lengths, two washers, a brush and a non-magnetic screwdriver.

Alternatives

The AT33xMLD uses the same microlinear stylus profile on a duralumin tapered pipe cantilever and sells for USD 799.