Best cartridge you've never heard of: the Audio-Technica AT33PTG/II

No problem - realize that the stock mat on the G is just like the one on my MKii, and the VTA adjustments are similar...... so expect the same result on the MKii, give or take a little of course.

 

I will work on it tomorrow. I purchased a Riverstone Audio scale to check tracking force. The turntable was off a bit and I was able to dial in the exact force after I calibrated it. I purchased the 1200MK2 from ebay about 6 years ago. I believe it is from the mid to late 70s. Came with the original box. I was lucky that it was in perfect working shape. I did the heat shrink tonearm mod. I am thinking of changing out the RCA's and ground wire but I want to have some time to enjoy it for awhile (just moved and it was packed away for about 2 years). Again, thanks for the info.

 

If you post your serial number, I'll tell you when your MKii was made!

 

On my 1200, I have a litz rewired tonearm, KAB dampener, isonoe feet, upgraded platter and psu. The KAB dampener made a noticeable difference in tracking stability, particularly warped records, smoothed the roughness in sound, and importantly takes some of the impact away from the needle and cantilever each time you lower the tonearm, which IMO helps prolong the life of the cantilever.
In terms of cartridge choice, my pick is the AT440MLB (discontinued but some are still around). I'm guessing you're a metal fan. The AT33PTGii works very well with great resolution and depth, but I found it didn't have the liveliness/attack I enjoyed with the 440, which really brings out the bite in metal records. The AT33PTGii is more poised and warmer.

 

Appreciate your input! The dampener is next on the list for upgrades. I'll keep an eye out for an AT440! Also looking at the OC9 but that might be out of my price range.

 

I am very happy with this cart.AT33PTG/II around 40 hours break in period passed.
Very little surface noise even on my most worn records,definetely a step up from my Benz micro Gold.
I'm running it through my Black Cube at 56db gain/47kOhm with the bass jumpers on,but i'm still trying different VTA's and VTF.My arm is slightly tail up,(almost parallel with 180g lp's)and 1.95vtf.

This cart works perfect with High mass tonearms!

 

I have a question regarding this cart, does anyone have a close up picture of the stylus ?
It seems there is a very fair amount of glue on mine when comparing to other carts I have.

No impact on sound but I'm interested whether this is just mine or whether it is common.

 

First thing i noticed too!
If you look close with a microscope looks like a lot of dirt.only it's not.

 

I've seen pictures on the web also, it seems normal then ...

I was afraid I ruined mine.

 

yes, me too. i have good pictures of mine but i'm not able to upload...

 

About to order one of these to replace a worn DL-301 MkII on my KAB SL-1200 Mk II w/ fluid damper.

Should I use the stock Technics headshell or my Sumiko HS-12 (12g)? Assuming the former based on the compliance discussion in this thread.

 

Would love to hear your thoughts after the upgrade. I currently am using a DL-301 MkII with low hours on my KAB SL-1200 Mk II.

 

I too would love to hear your thoughts as I’m also currently running a Denon DL301 MkII

 

I just ordered one of these to replace a High Output Goldring Eroica MC. Hoping this will be at least a noticeable upgrade. Anyone compared the two? In terms of settings, I have 60db or 70db...I should use 70db right? Also 100ohm for loading but what should I set for capacitance?

 

You don't need to worry about capacitance, it's a LOMC. Just use the lowest setting if you have one.

jeff

 

I would use the stock Technics headshell based on the compliance specification.

 

I am using 185 ohm (1:10 SUT with a 30 kOhm resistor in parallel on the secondary winding) with my beloved 33ptg/ii. Tracking at 2.1, antiskate 1.2.
When adjusted within 1 mm of the effective tonearm length, the 3d is close to the (master) tape. That transparent and sensitive to the alignment. A technics shell on a 1210 mk2.

 

Thank you!

 

This cart sounds absolutely wonderful. I feel that I am really getting more out of my Avid Pulsus now that I heard excels with its MC capabilities. I was previously using a HO MC on the MM section. It sounds quite a lot different, probably about as much as I could have hoped for. It’s quiet in the groove and tracks brilliantly.

One interesting thing...when I hooked it up first, I had some low level hum. I have since discovered that it was proximity of the phono stage main unit to my Krell amp which i think has a pretty hefty transformer in it.

Since reshuffling my shelves, I now have dead silence even if I whack the volume way up when the record isn’t playing. I thought this was going to drive me nuts but thankfully it’s sorted.

I won’t go back to MM or High Output MC now.

 

I'm surprised a 7 year old thread can still be replied to on this site! Anyhow, I just ordered the 33PTG, and I'm curious to how much "better" it will sound compared to my 740ML.

 

It has the ability to grab your attention when you least expect it. In the main, it just gets on with the exemplary job it has to do, while causing WTAF moments frequently, repeatedly and as often as you play records.

 

AT33PTG has wider stereo separation, compared to the MM catridges from Audio-Technica. Frequency-wise, I like AT 33PTG/II and AT-VM95ML.

 

I have 33ptg/ii and VM540Ml. Tembrally they are both similar, 33 has more soundstage depth and extracts way more subtle details, less chalky mids, or more fluid. Mm microlines are hreat, until one hears mc microlines.

 

What do you think of it on the 1240? That's the turntable I'm getting it for.

 

Good question. Made me pause to think about it.... Short answer - your phono preamp might have more to say about how the PTG33ii performs than the 1240 does....

Long answer:

Note that first, my 1240 has been back in its box for a couple of years now (been meaning to move it along to someone who could use it) --- I got my 33PTGii about a year after retiring the 1240 and never tried it. As an aside, I think the 1240 is a better platform than the 120 by a lot --- the 1240 is on the same plane as the Pioneers PLX-1000 (which I owned also for a short time, I actually preferred the 1240). Both are higher end Hanipans.

Compliance-wise, it's in the ballpark and shouldn't be a problem from that perspective on the 1240 --- tonearm / platform quality-wise I would say the 33PTGii is pushing the top end, and if you have a good phono pre that handles LOMC well, then I don't think the 1240 would be a limiter to achieving the potential of a well driven 33PTGii. (well driven again referring to the phono pre - to me that's the more important aspect to the proposed match in this case ).

What's your phono pre? If it's the Ultraphono in your profile, then you might not like my opinion that though it does do MC, it's not its strong point and a high quality MM cartridge might be a better choice. Note I am one who thinks that you have to get past the $1500 mark on phono pre's before you get one that performs well on both MM and MC. (rough rule of thumb, of course used changes that, I am talking retail. Also, I am certain there will be those that disagree and there are exceptions). On lower end phono preamps I feel that MC is usually a compromise and its tough to realize the potential of a good MC cartridge.

I know this opinion won't be popular with some (many?) and there may be an exception or two... but you asked and giving you my honest opinion.