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REVIEW: Audio Technica AT150mlx Phono Cartridge

Model:	AT150mlx
Category:	Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price:	$499
Description:	Audio Technica AT150mlx Moving Magnet Cartridge
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Technica
Model Picture:	View

Review by zomax on January 29, 2008 at 15:35:44 IP Address: 207.38.172.40

Add Your Review for the AT150mlx

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This cartridge may not be fully broken in yet, but I thought I'd post my impressions and possibly get some feedback for further tweaking now.

Previous cartridge for about 2-3 years was a Shure V15VXMR and, prior to that, a Goldring 1012. I was looking for a more lively sound than the Shure, i.e., more attack and sparkle, without too much brightness. So far so good.

Set-up on the RB250 was fairly simple. Basically put it at the end of the headshell, tightened the screws, checked the alignment using a Turntable Basics protractor, made a couple of minor adjustments, set the VTF for 1.25 and was off. So far no signs of mis-tracking. No audible inner-groove distortion either.

The AT150 shares a similar diamond design, and as far as I can tell, is about equal (perhaps slightly better) than the Shure in minimizing the pops and clicks. This is the main reason I decided to stick with MM rather than go for an entry-level MC design with a lesser stylus. Without the brush of the Shure, the needle picks up more crud -- thankfully the microscopic cantilever makes it easier to tell.

I always thought one of the Shure's strengths was in the bass, but I think the AT150 has just as strong bass but is more refined. In retrospect, the Shure was probably a bit wooly in the bass. Midrange is not necessarily lush, but still full and detailed.

Regarding the treble, I calculated the capacitance of my Rega RB250 tonearm cable and interconnects from the phono-pre to the amp as 146pF. I set the Vanguard at 47 pF, so if my calculations are correct, this is just under the recommended capacity of 200 pF. So far only one recording (Bob Mould's Workbook) sounded too bright (the cymbals particularly) at this setting. Most others seem to have the top-end sparkle I felt I was missing with the Shure, without sounding overly brash or fatiguing. However, I would be open to suggestions regarding either lowering the capacitance or upping the VTF to take a tinge off the top and perhaps add some emphasis to the other mids.

It has been repeated elsewhere, but one of the strengths of this cartridge is the ability to present complex passages without making them muddled or congested. I felt the Shure was letting me down on some of the more climactic rock tracks, but the AT150 delivers these with detail and pace.

For the cost of this cartridge (app. $240 less than the MSRP), I feel I've made a good upgrade from the Shure without an upgrade in price.

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Product Weakness:	cuing difficult due to hard to see cantilever
Product Strengths:	excellent tracking, low-noise level, smooth yet lively presentation

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Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier:	Onkyo A-9555
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Trigon Vanguard II Phono Pre-amp
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Nottingham Horizon
Speakers:	Audio Physic Sparks
Cables/Interconnects:	Tara Labs Prism 11
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock/Jazz/Classical
Time Period/Length of Audition:	20 hours
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

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