The new Audio Technica AT33x EN is the evolution of the famous AT33 EV. This new benchmark offers a rich and warm sound suitable for many styles of music.
Audio Technica AT33xEN: Body
Each body of the AT33x series cartridges is composed of three distinct materials: die-cast zinc, aluminium and a high-rigidity polymer. These are optimally arranged to reduce and disperse resonance throughout the cartridge body. With this sandwich construction, no frequency predominates during playback, in order to provide balanced and natural sound reproduction.
The screws are mounted through threaded inserts integrated into the cartridge body for easy installation. The connection pins are thickly gold-plated, which reduces contact resistance and improves sound quality.
Audio Technica AT33xEN: Generator
The AT33xEN's rigid duralumin cantilever tapers towards the 0.3 x 0.7 mil integral elliptical stylus tip for improved frequency response. It is connected to a rigid suspension mechanism, which slightly reduces dynamic compliance. Two independent PCOCC copper coils are positioned at the cantilever's pivot point to ensure perfect signal transmission for each channel.
This dual moving coil design, with independent left and right channels, offers exceptional channel separation.
The PCOCC (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting) coils ensure pure and smooth signal transmission.
The neodymium magnet and the permendur yoke maximise energy efficiency for high-resolution and responsive playback.
The tapered, very hard duralumin cantilever improves the control of high frequencies. It receives a diamond with an elliptical profile.
Audio Technica AT33xEN: Sound reproduction
The new-generation AT33x cartridges offer a rather "vintage" analogue sound. You find a rich and detailed reproduction across the entire audio spectrum, with highly realistic expressiveness. Of course, without losing out on dynamics and transparency.
FAQ: Everything you need to know before buying the Audio Technica AT33x EN cartridge
What is the difference with the AT33x MLB?
The AT33x EN uses a tapered duralumin cantilever combined with an integral elliptical profile diamond (0.3 x 0.7 mil), whereas the MLB receives a Boron cantilever and a Micro Line diamond. The three-material body (die-cast zinc, aluminium and high-rigidity polymer) remains, however, common to the entire AT33x series.
What do the body and generator design bring?
The three-material sandwich disperses resonance so that no frequency predominates, for a balanced and natural reproduction. Two independent PCOCC copper coils offer exceptional channel separation and pure transmission, while the neodymium magnet and the permendur yoke ensure high-resolution and responsive playback.
Which preamplifier do I need?
This is an MC cartridge, which therefore requires an MC-compatible phono preamplifier to provide the necessary gain.
What type of reproduction should you expect?
The new-generation AT33x cartridges offer a rather "vintage" analogue sound. You find a rich and detailed reproduction across the entire audio spectrum, with highly realistic expressiveness, without losing out on dynamics or transparency.
FranckFrequency response: 20 to 40,000 Hz
Channel separation: 27 dB (1 kHz)
Vertical tracking angle: 19°
Recommended tracking force: 2.0 g
Recommended load impedance: ≥ 100 ohms
Coil impedance: 12 ohms (1 kHz)
DC resistance: 12 ohms
Coil inductance: 26 µH (1 kHz)
Output voltage: 0.4 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/s)
Output balance: 1.0 dB (1 kHz)
Stylus shape: Bare elliptical 0.3 × 0.7 mil
Cantilever: Conical duralumin tube
Static compliance: 21 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne
Dynamic compliance: 12 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne
Dimensions: 16.1 x 16.6 x 26.1 mm
Weight: 10.1 g
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