Audio Technica's OC-9 series has been operating with undiminished success for over thirty years. After many years, it is still a reference for several music lovers, professionals, and journalists across the world!
Motivated by the analogue come back, Audio Technica launches the 4th generation of the OC-9 series, represented by 5 low output MC cartridges.
The Audio Technica AT-OC9XSH MC cartridge is the fourth model of the range.
AUDIO TECHNICA AT-OC9XSH: BODY AND COILS
The body of the low output MC cartridge is cut into very strong aluminium that reduces unwanted resonances.
The AT-OC9 “X” cartridges are all composed around a generator equipped with a high quality double coil made of copper (PCOCC). This very pure copper ensures a signal without distortion and few coloration. The structure of the moving coils offers a large frequency response as well as an excellent left/right channel separation, which enables excellent stereo image.
The AT-OC9XSH is equipped with Permendur yoke to improve the magnetic energy of the magnets. These provide an important magnetic field of excellent quality.
AUDIO TECHNICA AT-OC9XSH: STYLUS
The Audio Technica At-OC9XSH is equipped with the famous Shibata stylus. It has a low mass and is associated to a boron cantilever.
This stylus with a complex profile follows the modulation of the groove with higher precision than a basic elliptical stylus. It offers a higher frequency response, while reducing surface noises and distortion in high frequencies.
This one seems similar to the one used by the manufacturer on the famous AT 33 SA cartridge.
AUDIO TECHNICA AT-OC9XSH: ASSEMBLY AND COMPATIBILITY
To facilitate the assembly on the headshell, the AT-OC9XSH has a body equipped with threaded inserts. This has a true mechanical advantage, but it makes this cartridge incompatible with bottom-mount headshells. On the old Thorens or Lenco, for example.
Its weight and its rather high compliance make this Audio Technica AT-OC9XSH adapted for medium and low weight tonearms.
Its output level requires a MC phono preamp having a minimum of 62 dB gain and 100 ohms load.
AUDIO TECHNICA AT-OC9XSH: TEST AND LISTENING
The restitution of this AT-OC9XSH is into the pure tradition of OC9 cartridges from the Japanese manufacturer. By the way, we find several common points with the AT 33 SA cartridge.
The reproduction is rich and very informative in the low frequencies. The transient response is high. This gives a rhythmical, fast, articulated, and very nuanced listening.
The bandwidth seems to be very wide, especially in the high frequencies, where it certainly surpasses the competitors.
The absence of surface noise and distortion makes it possible to highlight a treble of great precision and accuracy.
There is also a very transparent and precise bass. It goes very low continuously, with definition and articulation. The mid-range offers an excellent clarity, associated to beautiful nuances.
This Audio Technica AT-OC9XSH MC cartridge seems to us to be one of the most successful phono cartridges currently, and certainly one of the most powerful of the Japanese manufacturer.
It totally meets the expectations of even the most discerning music lover! At this price, it is (almost) free!
Our favorite!
FranckAssembly: 1/2” with threaded inserts
Frequency response: 20 - 47 000 Hz
Body: aluminium
Channel separation: 27 dB (1 kHz)
Channel balance: 1 dB (1 kHz)
Output voltage: 0.4 mV (at 1 kHz, 5 cm / s)
Vertical tracking angle: 20°
Tracking force range: 1.8 to 2.2 g
Recommended tracking force: 2.0 g
Stylus: Shibata
Stylus profile: 2.7 x 0.26 mil
Cantilever: boron tube, 0.28 mm diameter
Coil impedance: 12 Ohms (1 kHz)
Coil inductance: 25 μH (1 kHz)
Static compliance: 20 x 10 - 6 cm / dyne
Compliance: 16 x 10 - 6 cm / dyne (100 Hz)
Terminal screws: brass
Coils: PCOCC copper (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting)
Recommended load impedance: Minimum 100 Ohms
Weight: 7.6 g
Dimensions: 17.3 (H) x 16.8 (W) x 25.7 (D) mm
Included accessories: 1 screwdriver, 1 brush, 4 pairs of mounting screws (5, 8, 10, 12 mm)
Customer reviews
Superbe !
Après avoir longtemps hésité entre différents modèles de MC , tous de chez AT, j'ai finalement opté pour ce modèle après une longue conversation avec Franck. Comme d'habitude , son conseil a été le bon , le résultat est au delà de mes espoirs , et encore le rodage commence à peine , et les différents essais de charge avec mon préphono seront pour plus tard (100 ohms comme préconisé de base et 68db de gain ) . La platine est une Project X-Tension 9CC Evo et le préphono un Octave Eq 2. Merci encore à Franck et son équipe pour son grand professionnalisme et son écoute !
une belle émotion
J'ai monté cette cellule sur un bras REGA RB 303 en remplacement d'une BENZ MICRO ACE SL vieillissante. Je ne suis pas déçu. Je partage bien l'analyse faite par MA PLATINE. Sur les grandes formations, les voix et les instruments sont un peu plus "détourés" que sur la BENZ. Sur les petites formations cela apporte une émotion qui donne la chair de poule - BARBARA BOBINO 1967. Même sur un seul instrument comme l'orgue l'on distingue parfois les tuyaux dans la scène sonore - BACH TOCCATAS éditions CALLIOPE. J'ai testé cette cellule en allant du rock au baroque : quel plaisir ! Et une belle surprise, sur un enregistrement de la symphonie du nouveau monde que je trouvais un peu plat, le relief est apparu. cela est peut être dû à la forme du diamant . Pour une cellule MC d'entrée ou de milieu de gamme le rapport qualité/prix est excellent. Le large choix de cellules proposées et leurs analyses pertinentes effectuées par MA PLATINE m'ont bien aidé dans mon choix. Les avis des clients les confortent généralement.