Audio Technica AT-OC9XSH MC cartridge

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!