Audio -Technica AT440Mla

Wow.... this is a "really" revealing phono cartridge. I have been using a Shure V-15 Type III for years and was interested in all the "hype" about this cartridge. I was originally planning to buy a Jico for my Shure, but now I'm glad I spent the $$$ on the AT440Mla.

 

Best cartridge in that price range, hands down!

 

I agree. The sound is remarkable and rivals the Shure V15 in many ways. A little tricky to set up but worth it.

 

I am glad you like it, I recorded the following video review of the AT440mla over 2 years ago and I still love it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bqQZhoYC_o - I also try to explain why I think the AT440 is such a great cart for the $.

I use a Clearaudio Maestro on my new clean records and for serious listening and, yes, it sounds better. But the AT440mla has given me more hours of vinyl pleasure than any other.

I bought one to use and a couple for spares.

Alberto

 

nice video review alberto.
you can the cartridge on amazon for $99.

- sushimaster

 

can anyone compare this cart to the Grado Gold (not newest model)? I had the 440 a few years ago on a P3; decided to try vinyl again and have a Thorens TD320. The Gold sounds good, but interested in comparison. Thanks.

 

I've had mine for about 4 years and have loved it. I'm wondering if it's soon time for a replacement.

How can you tell when these start to go?

 

Stylus wear = increase in surface noise, increase in distortion (especially end of side), increased need for cleaning of stylus.

Best solution is to have a spare cartridge or stylus, to swap out to check. If you can't tell any difference, all is well.

 

Used one for years, loved it (and still have it as a back-up for worn records). I switched to a Denon DL-110, another great value also. The Denon does not have the same "punch" as the AT, but has a better sound-stage, and is more "musical" (imo). Both are "keepers", and very good value!

 

Dougr33, Yes I also had a Grado Gold a few years ago and I don't think it at all close to the detail of the AT440Mla. The Grado was warmer sounding but didn't track as well as the AT440Mla.

 

I agree with the above. I've had both, and the Grado is beautiful in it's own way, but only on the first 2/3 of a side. Then things go downhill rapidly. When I finally got the AT440mla, it was a revelation. Finally no IGD!

By the way, there are some records that I played a good number of times with the Grado where the sibilance and tracking problems were very noticeable. When I play those records now with the AT there is no trace of groove damage. So, don't fret. A properly set-up Grado might not sound very pretty on the inner grooves, but it is not damaging the vinyl in a significant way. At least not that I can hear.

 

I'm sure that the folks at Audio Technica appreciate it when you guys start another new thread about this same cartridge, especially since you are helping a local company, near me, stay in business. I'm guessing that this must be at least the 7th thread about the AT440MLa. I also own one and it's a great cart. Dollar for dollar, I'll never understand the GRADO fans and the foolish money that some spend on their carts, especially with this cart still available. I guess some just have to own the "LEXUS" of everything.

Chris C

 

thanks for comparison.

 

I guess I fall in that crowd. I've owned both the 440MLa and Grado carts.
I wouldn't call it a Lexus......as I'm not a fan of Toyota products. But the Grado is staying on the arm. The 440MLa is a nice cart though.

 

Be sure your records are spotless, and hit each side with a dry brush before playing to get every last speck of dust. The 440ML stylus seems to clog more quickly than others.

 

Thanks!
I should get another just to swap out and check as you say. It's still tracking well, but I do need to clean it more often lately. Of course, my dust cover breaking is a major contributor to that as well.

 

I love the 440mla, I've been using it for three years, last month i decided to try another cartridge , i picked the audio technica AT7V because i read really good reviews on it and it's relatively cheap and in my price range (between 80 to 120$ ), so i compared them both:

On my thorens td160 the sound of the AT440MLA is incredibly detailed but on on some records (ones that are mastered bright) it can be too "bright" ( i know some folks tame it by modifying the circuitry in their phono stages but i don't want to open my phono stage in case i ruin something)
However when i put the 440MLA my other turntable - Project 1.2 - i was amazed how different it sounded, the occasionally excessive brightness all but disappeared, and the bass was much more prominent, it really is a good match for the project TT.

I also tried the audio techinca at7v on both turntables and again was amazed how different it sounded on each one, on the project the AT7V sounded dull and lifeless, i was so disappointed because of the good reviews i read, i then put it on the thorens and it was like night and day difference, everything sounded so musical and luscious, i was in love , it's a warmer sounding cartridge then the 440mla, that's for sure, the midrange is especially lovely.

As far as tracking is concerned the 440mla wins easily, i have yet to meet a record it didn't track close to perfect, the at7v on the other hand was slightly problematic on some records, i guess it's that fine line stylus that gives the 440mla the edge with regards to tracking the inner grooves.

 

Doctorwu, I've had similar experience moving the same cartridge to a different table. It really makes you realize how much the turntable itself contributes to the overall sound you get.

 

I'm glad this thread popped up. I think I'm going to grab one of these.

When I first got back into vinyl I tried out a few carts, one of them the AT150MLX. Foolishly, I got rid of it because it was a bit edgy and bright in my system and for my biases. Now I have a second system with a Fisher 500B tube receiver and Bozaks at its heart, using a Dual 1219, and I bet the AT150MLX would sound great in it.

Just had a Denon DL160 fail on me and I was debating whether to get the Denon 110 or go the neutral route and try a Shure V15 III, maybe with a JICO SAS. The latter I WILL own someday, but I am now sort of on the fence about the Denon 110 and the cartridge up for discussion here.

By most accounts, this one is quite the bargain.

 

If I had to guess I'd say that's probably due to lower cable capacitance on the Pro-Ject. Even a 100pF difference will make a noticeable change in the treble output with many AT cartridges.

 

Funny, I've used the AT440MLa on my TD 160 for a couple years now and it sounds just perfect to me. What I notice more than anything is how well it makes LPs compete with CDs. Perhaps that's an indication that the AT440MLa is giving me a clinical and detailed presentation--not sure. But it does sound fantastic. I've got a DL-160 that I need to try out to see if there's much noticeable difference.

 

I think you should grab an AT440MLa and a DL-110!

 

Yeah, you're right, ideally I would have both on hand but I've busted the budget a few times recently and with the DL160 failing on me out of the blue I can only grab one at the moment and the one I decided on was the at440mla. Amazon says 1-2 months to ship, oh well, hope it's not 2 months or more, though.

 

Yes, that's a good point.