Vinyl Asylum

Posted by neobop (A) on February 27, 2015 at 14:21:38

In Reply to: RE: What About the AT120e/t only $111.95 posted by Mike Porper on February 27, 2015 at 08:51:46

Mike,
The 120E has the same body/generator as the 440ML, but with a nude round shank .3 x .7. The different stylus tones down the 440 stylus which can be aggressive up top. Both have a different (from the 95) stylus fitment called the 100/120 series. These are not interchangeable with the 95/3472 series which includes the Clearaudio. The 150MLX is another of the 100 series and sounds wonderful on a 120 body.

I don't know the phono input capacitance of your Adcom, but that might be the reason for the brightness. The total input capacitance is that of the preamp + cables + internal arm wire. Many vintage preamps have phono input capacitance of 225pF. Ideal load for AT seems to be 150pF total.

AT MM have an unusually long break in. Maybe that's the problem?

With the 95/3472 series your limited to replacement styli with bonded tips. Many people send their Clearaudio to Soundsmith for a ruby cantilevered replacement stylus. I have a Virtuoso and it sounds nearly identical to my 95 (using same stylus). I believe the wood top on my series 1 Virtuoso damps some vibrations. My 95 is modified in that it has an aluminum top plate and is internally potted (somewhat).
The Linn K9 has the same stylus fitment, but a different generator than the 95. I believe inductance/resistance is higher.
The shibata stylus is sweeter up top. Maybe this is due to a curved contact area? Preference is system/taste dependent.

The 100E is an extremely good value for under $100. Stock it seems to be great on med mass arms, and internally is almost identical to the 150MLX. It takes that series stylus and with an ATN150MLX you have a virtual 150 that's about 2g lighter.

In all honesty I can't recommend any of these for you unless you can figure out why so bright.
Regards,
neo


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