Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Audio Technica AT440ML Phono Cartridge by Joe Blow

Model:	AT440ML
Category:	Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price:	$219.00
Description:	Audiophile series MM phono cartridge with
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Technica
Model Picture:	View

Review by Joe Blow ( A ) on June 14, 2002 at 12:13:17
IP Address: 63.78.179.4

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for the AT440ML

I didn't want to do this. I didn't want to write a reveiw on this cartridge. It's not that I don't like it, it's that it coinsides with an upgrade to my old integrated amplifier which also involves a new phono stage. I'm not sure I'm as yet able to understand what sounds I hear are the new amplifier and new cartridge. Because of these changes I also don't feel I can put forth a fair comparison between it and my old cartridge, a Grado Prestige Red. Ask the good folks in the Vinyl Asylum for a good budget cartridge around the $100 mark and you'll usually find overwelming votes for something from the Grado Prestige line and the Audio Technica AT440ML. Such a comparison would have been very interesting to me, and no doubt many others. Still it was a surprise to find no reivews for the AT440ML given it's apperent popularity, hence my action.
So why did I upgrade from my Grado Prestige Red? I have a love-hate relationship with it. I adore the way it sounds, but lothe the way it tracks. The Grado can't quite track the inner 1-2 bands on probably about 50% of my collection, which is probably mostly a reflection of them being used and therfore played on who knows what (I sometimes have visions some 70's BSR "console" table with a nicely worn ceramic cartridge carving off a long curly sliver of vinyl as it plays). Although I have considered an update for quite some time, it wasn't a real priority for me. Did I say I adore the way it sounds?
Out Philips FA-80 and in Musical Fidelity A3. Something really strange happened. For some reason the well known Grado sound "flip-flopped" and became extremely harsh and intolerable. I'm not sure what happened. Nothing changed but the amplifier, so I have to conclude there is some kind of extreme anti-synergy going on between these components. I had to do something. As luck would have it, I recieved a manager's award from work with a gift certificate good at Crutchfield, who happens to carry the AT440ML at the same $99.95 price as nearly everyone else. I figured the only thing better than an AT440ML was a free AT440ML.
A note on the price: The AT440ML has been "on sale" for ~$100 just about anywhere you care to look for at least 2 1/2 years how. We saw similar action taken on the OC9, this cartridge's MC sister. In the OC9s case, it was replaced earlier this year with an updated design and a more nominal price tag. It's easy to see what happened there, and it's likely the same will happen with the AT440ML when stocks deplete. If you want this fabulous cartridge at a drop dead price, buy now or pay more later. Kudos for Crutchfield: Their generous return policy appears to also apply to phono cartridges, shipping was very reasonable and fast, and the cartridge was extremely well packed. I don't think you can go wrong with these people.
After reciept I mounted it on my Pro-ject 1.2, leveled the arm tube front to back, set the azimuth flat with the bottom of the cartridge body, and aligned it with the protractor that came with my Pro-ject 1.2 (which seems to produce a Baerwald alignment, even though it's not a standard protractor). Tracking force was set at the recommended 1.25 grams and the anti-skate weight was set for the middle notch per the Pro-ject manual.
Without doing any more adjustment, the AT440ML tracked all but the +18dB band of the Hi-Fi News and Record Review anti-skate track (and there it produced only a very slight buzz), and passes all the +15dB tracking tests. Clearly this cartridge is an excellent tracker. The resonance tests gave vertical and lateral frequencies of about 9Hz. This is the low end of the optimal range but none-the-less acceptable, confirming that the AT440ML is a good match mechanically with the Pro-ject 1.2 arm.
So how does the AT440ML perform? Even out of the box with minimal wear in, absolutely wonderfully. Actually, I was very surprised with it, and the more I listen the more pleased I become. Without a doubt it puts the Grado to shame in the tracking department. It has been able to not only track the inner grooves of all records I have tried, but does so without any obvious degridation in the sound quality. No doubt this is due to the fine stylus geometry.
It's no slouch in the sound department either. Tonally, this cartridge seems to be full of mutually exclusive properties. I'd say it is a neutral sounding cartridge. Yet, it's far from sterile -- in fact, it's strikingly musical. Bass is nice and full, but not emphasised, bloated, or slow. Mids are amazingly smooth yet not particularly warm. Trebile is crisp yet not glaring, sibalent, forward, or fatiquing. Lots of detail yet doesn't come across as analytical.
Overall everything just seems to be so right and presented with amazing realism. Cymbals in Vince Gauraldi's work had amazing liquid quality I never noticed before, as did Miles Davis' trumpet. Abba's vocals cut through me. Closed my eyes and imagined Paul Simon was giving me a private concert. Sound stage is nice and wide - speakers completely disapear in the sweet spot and the sound becomes 3D. The first night I listened I found it hard to shut it off and go to bed. I've been looking for excuses to listen ever since. That should say it all right there.
This level of performance comes strait out of the box, and it can only get better from here. So is does this sound describe my amp or the cartridge? I think some some of each, but regardless they seem work very well together. IMO, this cartridge is practically being given away at it's current price.

Product Weakness: Get 'em while you can.
Product Strengths: Wonderful realism, musical, excellent tracker, sounds great out of the box, high performance:price ratio

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Musical Fidelity A3
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	N/A
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Pro-ject 1.2
Speakers:	Boston T830-II
Cables/Interconnects:	Radio Shack
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Pop, Folk
Room Comments/Treatments:	Irregular shaped room w/ cemet floor furnished as living space (carpet, drapes, couch, etc).
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Panamax 1000+
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Get 'em while you can.
Product Strengths:	Wonderful realism, musical, excellent tracker, sounds great out of the box, high performance:price ratio