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Model: | OC-9 |
Category: | Phono Cartridge |
Suggested Retail Price: | $199 |
Description: | Moving coil phono cartridge |
Manufacturer URL: | Audio Technica |
Review by Peter LC (A) on July 12, 2002 at 20:59:10 IP Address: 212.238.24.245 | Add Your Review for the OC-9 |
Retail $199...? Must be a very old price... Anyway, I paid the equivalent of some $380 from a German online-retailer. I was lucky enough to get the latest version, the OC9ML/II; ML for Microline - the tip-shape - and II probably for the solid, gilt boron cantilever.I own an almost antique Planar 3, so old that it was originally supplied with a Linn Basik LVX arm instead of an RB 300; being from the early '80's. I bought the original set-up - pre-owned - with this LVX arm and a Dynavector Karat Ruby 23 cartridge.
When I recently decided that playing records with a ±18 to 20 years-old cartridge - use of Stylast notwithstanding - was no longer an act of responsability, I also grabbed a Scottish-made 4-year-old II/b-series Akito that crossed my path. It was supplied with an expensive Linn-interconnect which made it a fine deal. After careful set-up of both the arm and cartridge, using a rudimentary but accurate cardboard template; I was ready for either "Well, OK; it's nice" or "Holy XXXX". It turned out to be the latter.
Running-in proved to be quick enough; the top-end is slightly exaggerated but after a record or 10, 15 this was already less noticeable. The supplied individual frequency-readout shows a flat response up to 5 kHz, rising to + 1,5 dB at 20 kHz. The strenghts of this cartridge are the "blackness" from which, with total control and utter yet unobtrusive detailing, the music emerges; unforgiving when the recording is so-so, but on the other hand with tracking-capabilities that are very forgiving when the record itself is bad. Very low surface-noise, also helped by a 0,4 mV output which helps lowering hiss from the MC phono-stage way beyond audibility, makes it almost rival with CD-reproduction in this respect. It surpasses CD-reproduction -in MY set- on accounts of depth and sheer oversight.
So, the OC9 in its current form is still a hot cartridge after being some 15 years on the market. Use a good arm, a Basik for example won't do it justice. Almost everything from an RB 250 will probably do fine; just don't use ultra-light arms.
Product Weakness: | * frequency-response could have been flatter; hardly ever noticeable though * Installing- instructions don't mention proper alignment well enough; novices are likely to set-up the cartridge way "off" |
Product Strengths: | * Tremendously revealing and neutral in this price-range * Imageing and authority so good you don't really notice at first * Low tracking-noise * Relatively high output, subduing phono-stage's hiss * Low tracking force, yet high tracking ability: A true vinyl-saver |
Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
Amplifier: | Accuphase E-206 |
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | None |
Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Rega Planar 3, Linn Akito II/b, the described AT - placed on top of Standesign rack |
Speakers: | Rogers LS3/5a, Standesign stands |
Cables/Interconnects: | Audiolab Hiflex/Linn Analogue Interconnect |
Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Wide range from Dufay to Yello |
Room Size (LxWxH): | 5,5 m x 5,5 m x 2,4 m |
Room Comments/Treatments: | See my set description for other info. Look for "The Shouting Shoeboxes" in the Inmate Systems index. |
Time Period/Length of Audition: | Ten days/approx. 30 LP's so far |
Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Follow Ups:
After using it regularly for a month or so, try lowering the back of the arm so it is just below level. This improved the sound for me, and lessened the slight top end rise.Also, there is a small notch at the back side of the gold colored cover on the bottom of the cartridge. It's held on with a gummy adhesive. Pry this cover off carefully with a tiny flat-bladed screwdriver. Be careful not to touch the generator wires while doing this, and be careful not to let the magnets pull the screwdriver in. This procedure opens up the sound a bit. Do a search on Vinyl Asylum with the terms 'nude' and 'OC9' for more info on this.
Nice review.
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That sounds kinda scary... what I just did and, I believe, works too; is applying a short strip of Teflon-tape on the armtube, where the counterweight is positioned. This way, there is no more counterweight-"wobble"; it now sits nice and tight, while still smoothly turning into correct position. I just love messing with that Teflon-tape... ;-) I did a clean job; there is no -white- tape to be seen on the arm. If I'm not fooling myself, even higher levels of resolution are achieved now.
Great review! Something I've been trying to tell the masses for a while! My cart also has the slight rise (more like a shelf) from 8K to 20K (but only 1 dB). I have mine mounted on an Akito II (B version) and haven't had a single tracking problem with it. No inner groove distortion as well!BTW, the "old" price of $199US is for the OC-9 ML, not the ML II, which is currently priced at $399US. Luckily, I got the ML for $199, as I can't see that much of an increase in price as reasonable jsut for gold plated parts! Actually, now that I think about it, the original price on the OC-9 ML back in the early '90's was over $700 in some markets, so that still may be a bargain in absolute terms!
Thanks... It really is quite something. Nice to see you're using the exact same arm! What deck is it mounted on?
The Akito II is mounted on a modified Linn Axis. For more info, check out my listing on Inmate systems.
Cheers
Dman
That $199 price was a closeout special to make room for the latest production. There is a significant change in the design. The cantilever material has been changed to Boron.
Eli D.
But that doesn't make me want to spend the extra $200 (more like $300+ in CDN funds).
Waiting on MF's review in S'phile
Cheers, not cheese!
Dman
I agree, the time to think about buying the new version of the OC9 is when the stylus of the cartridge you are using wears out.
Eli D.
EXACTLY!!!!
I have less than 6 months of wear on my OC-9, and tracking it lightly (1.65grms) combined with judicious record cleaning (ala Keith Monks)should keep me going for quite a while!
Cheers
Dman
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