Audio-Technica AT-OC9XML Dual Moving Coil Cartridge with Microlinear Stylus

A very good cartridge, i have had the older oc5 some time ago which i liked. I have no trouble fitting it or setting it up. I am happy with this fine cartridge.

This cart (0c9xeb) was shrill and lacked low end and made my system sound thin with no bass or mid-bass weight. Instrument separation was terrible. Gave instant listening fatigue. Update: Amazon site not the best for info. Found out the cart I chose “eb” has different compliance and was a poor match for my tone arm (low mass). Higher compliance on the “ml”. Unfortunate that the reviews for this entire line of carts show up under every model.Update:Oc9xml is much better. Great clarity and dynamics, instrument separation, strong tight bass and most of all tracks incredibly. No inner grove distortion or sibilance whatsoever.

Delivered in reasonable time and after my meticulous installation, it does not work at all. It bottoms out such that the lower part of the cartridge contacts the record (LP) surface. The cantilever is so flimsy it cannot withstand 2 grams of tracking force. I doubt it can support any tracking force. What a waste of waiting and installation time.

Other cartridges tried with same setup. Shure V15 Type V VxMR with OEM stylus. Music lost life but was too warm and the high frequencies were simply not very resolved. 4/10Denon DL103. Some life returned. Good Midrange and midbass. High frequencies were there but you had to try hard to hear it. No serious bottom end 6/10Ortofon MC10 Mk II. the cartridge I had before I replaced it with the Shure Type V. Reminded me why. Unrefined sound, resonances from the cartridge. Much more dynamic than the Shure and Denon but lacking top end resolution like the Denon and lacking bottom end. Sometimes too brash.Now for the Audio Technica AT-OC9XML . Good bottom end, great high end. Refined sound with good resolution. Very dynamic. If your system is already bright, beware it could push it over the edge but that will depend on the phonostage and how much it can reveal. All my old records from my past sound new again. All the other cartridges allowed the TOPPING D90SE to be clearly superior. With this cartridge sometimes vinyl will outshine digital - you now hear why the vinyl vs. digital debate continues and that is using technically superior electronics on the digital side. You hear the recording and how it was made. 9/10Equipment used: Benchmark AHB2, Benchmark LA4, Topping D90SE, Highly modified phono stages consisting of Muffsy MC head Amp, Bugle 2 with 8 Jung Super Regulators. Linn LP-12, Linn Ittok LVII. Polk LSIM707 with Parts Express RSS390HF sealed sub with MiniDSP and Fully regulated power supply on Leach Low TIM3 for subs for power.

This is the first time I used MC cartridge and I was blown away by the details it picks up from my vinyls. For example, I played Shelby Lynne's "Just a little lovein'" vinyl and compare the sounding coming out from an MM cartridge. I am hearing a lot more detail from the voice and music coming out from this cartridge. I am glad that I bought this to add to my audiophile collection.