Audio-Technica AT-OC9XML Dual Moving Coil Cartridge with Microlinear Stylus for High-Fidelity Vinyl Record Listening

R Tan: This cartridge replaces my Ortofon super OM 40 and SME Ortofon 30H. I use it in an SME series III connected to an Elac Alchemy phono set to 120 ohm load. The sound is detailed, fast without background noise. I think for this price you won’t find a better sounding cartridge. Highly recommended.

Germany on Nov 09, 2023

Amazon Customer: Huge upgrade over my last 2M Bronze!

Canada on Aug 21, 2023

Gerard Willemsen: I bought this cartridge to dip my toes into the world of moving coil. I was transitioning from an Ortofon 2M black, so this cartridge had some very big shoes to fill! Initially, I was disappointed - it sounded very constrained out of the box but after a few hours use, really began to shine.

The HUGE thing for me with this cartridge has been how it handles surface record noise. Compared to the Ortofon 2M black, surface noise all but disappears. What little is left is detached from the sound. For me, this has been a game changer. I've probably lost 5% of the ultra high end detail with the AT compared with the Ortofon, but it feels like a small price to pay.

Sound is warm, detailed and smooth at the same time. It's not as punchy or dynamic as a high end moving magnet; but it's not as fatiguing either. Voices are rendered beautifully. Soundstage has been a slight disappointment - it's adequate, but falls short of amazing.

Overall the more I listen to this cartridge the more I like it. For now I prefer it to the Ortofon 2M Black and it's staying put.

United States on Jul 13, 2023

WiseOwl: The one thing I noticed with this cartridge, that I always notice on higher fidelity music(I.e mofi gold cd’s and hi res, etc), is that it plays at a much lower volume - more quality vs. quantity, and with that, you most likely will be turning your phono volume higher to achieve the same level of volume than you would with other inputs on your stereo. But the detail and music/sound with this cartridge is just absolutely phenomenal. Much better quality than an entry level cartridge without a doubt. For me, I find this to be more about music quality rather than higher volume levels(loudness). It also depends on what kind of quality records you’re playing as well. I prefer original master recordings and half speed. They sound really nice with this cartridge.

United States on May 15, 2023

IchibanKnifeFanIchibanKnifeFan: New phono cartridge arrived with cantilever visibly askew/crooked. Not good for such a high cost moving coil cartridge - definitely poor QA.

Returned for refund, after unsuccessfully trying to navigate Audio Technica customer service phone lines.

United States on Apr 10, 2023

demara0412: I’ve only had the cartridge for a week and it’s barely broke in, but it’s the best one I’ve ever had. I upgraded from a Shure M111HE moving magnet. I thought it sounded great, until I installed this XML. This cartridge is better in every way: fidelity, clarity, depth, noise. I’ve heard details in songs I’ve been listening to my entire life that I didn’t know were there. If you’re on the fence, do it. You won’t regret it.

United States on Feb 04, 2023

Zachary Hall: I upgraded from an Ortofon Concorde Mix MKII DJ style cartridge, which was spherical, and moving magnet, and my god, the upgrade was like night and day. This kicks CDs ass. Give yourself an MC preamp or a step up transformer (I used the former) and you will be wondering what the hell happened to all the noise. Seriously, this makes you not even think that vinyl is inferior. I've been producing tape recordings with Maxell XLII's on a JVC TD-V541 cassette deck and a Technics turntable, along with a Cambridge Audio Alva Duo Phono preamp and the results are fantastic! Get yourself one of these cartridges, and never look back. Thank me later.

United States on Apr 28, 2022

Amazon Customer: 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. 4/10
Denon 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 6/10
Ortofon 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...

Canada on Apr 03, 2022