The new Audio Technica AT33 x MLB is the evolution of the famous AT33 EV. This new benchmark model is equipped with a new stylus and cantilever that delivers a rich, precise and warm sound suitable for many styles of music.
Audio Technica AT33 x MLB: Body
Each body of the AT33x series cartridges is composed of three distinct materials: die-cast zinc, aluminum, and a high-rigidity polymer. These are optimally arranged in order to reduce and disperse resonance throughout the cartridge body. With this sandwich construction, no frequency predominates during playback, in order to deliver a balanced and natural sound reproduction.
The screws are mounted through threaded inserts integrated into the cartridge body in order to make installation easier. The connection pins are thickly gold-plated, which reduces contact resistance and improves sound quality.
Audio Technica AT33 x MLB: Generator
The rigid boron cantilever of the AT33x MLB tapers towards the cone-shaped tip. It is paired with an integrated Micro Line stylus that allows a better frequency response. It is linked to a rigid suspension mechanism, which slightly reduces the dynamic compliance. Two independent PCOCC copper coils are positioned at the fulcrum of the cantilever in order to ensure a perfect signal transmission for each channel.
This dual moving coil design, with independent left and right channels, offers exceptional channel separation.
The PCOCC coils (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting) ensure a pure and smooth signal transmission.
The neodymium magnet and the permendur yoke maximize energy efficiency for a responsive, high-resolution playback.
Audio Technica AT33 x MLB: Reproduction
This new-generation AT33xMLB low-output MC cartridge offers a very analog sound, quite "vintage" in character.
It nevertheless delivers a very rich and detailed reproduction across the entire audio spectrum, with highly realistic expressiveness. Of course, this is achieved without compromising on dynamics and transparency. Surface noise and distortion reach a very low level here.
FAQ: Everything you need to know before buying the Audio Technica AT33x MLB cartridge
What does the three-material body bring?
The body combines die-cast zinc, aluminium and a high-rigidity polymer, optimally arranged in order to reduce and disperse resonance throughout the cartridge. No frequency predominates during playback, which delivers a balanced and natural reproduction. The threaded inserts make installation easier, and the thick gold-plated pins reduce contact resistance.
What technology is used for the stylus and the coils?
The rigid boron cantilever tapers into a cone towards the tip and receives an integrated Micro Line stylus that improves the frequency response. Two independent PCOCC copper coils, positioned at the fulcrum of the cantilever, ensure exceptional channel separation and a pure, smooth transmission, while the neodymium magnet and the permendur yoke maximise efficiency for a high-resolution playback.
Do I need a particular preamplifier?
As an MC cartridge, it requires an MC-compatible phono preamplifier, capable of providing the gain required by a moving coil cartridge.
What kind of sound reproduction does the AT33x MLB offer when listening?
This new-generation cartridge offers a very analogue sound, quite "vintage" in character, which will particularly appeal to lovers of warm timbres. It nevertheless delivers a very rich and detailed reproduction across the entire audio spectrum, with highly realistic expressiveness on voices and instruments. This richness does not come at the expense of dynamics or transparency, two qualities that are also present on this low-output MC cartridge. Surface noise and distortion reach a very low level here, which contributes to a relaxing listening experience even over long musical sessions. Our article why invest in an MC cartridge sheds light on the value of this technology.
FranckFrequency response: 20 to 45,000 Hz
Channel separation: 27 dB (1 kHz)
Vertical tracking angle: 19°
Recommended tracking force: 2.0 g
Recommended load impedance: ≥ 100 ohms
Voice coil impedance: 12 ohms (1 kHz)
DC resistance: 12 ohms
Voice coil inductance: 26 µH (1 kHz)
Output voltage: 0.42 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/s)
Output balance: 1.0 dB (1 kHz)
Cartridge type: Bare Micro Line 2.2 × 0.12 mil
Cantilever: Conical boron tube
Static compliance: 19 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne
Dynamic compliance: 11 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne
Dimensions: 16.1 × 16.6 × 26.1 mm
Weight: 10.1 g
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Customer reviews
La précision avant tout
J’ai bien reçu ma cellule AT33xMLB et le résultat est tout simplement irréprochable ! Le son est d’une grande douceur, plein et soyeux, avec cette belle profondeur que l’on attend d’une cellule MC, mais surtout avec une définition exceptionnelle dans les aigus. Le tout reste parfaitement maîtrisé, sans jamais devenir agressif.
J’apprécie particulièrement le fait qu’on ne tombe pas ici dans une signature sonore trop “chaleureuse” ou excessivement chargée dans le grave, comme c’est parfois le cas. Au contraire, la précision, la finesse des détails et la clarté sont pleinement au rendez-vous, tout en conservant une musicalité remarquable.
C’est exactement l’équilibre que je recherchais : de la transparence, de la définition et une écoute vivante, sans coloration artificielle.
J’ai de plus passé la cellule au crible d’un LP de test, et tout se passe comme prévu au regard des caractéristiques annoncées. À noter également un niveau de distorsion vraiment très faible sur l’ensemble du spectre, ce qui, je trouve, place cette cellule, en plus des qualités évoquées ci-dessus, dans un rapport qualité-prix plus qu’intéressant !