Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Audio Technica OC-9 Phono Cartridge by Peter LC

Model:	OC-9
Category:	Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price:	$199
Description:	Moving coil phono cartridge
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Technica
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Technica

Review by Peter LC ( A ) on July 12, 2002 at 20:59:10
IP Address: 212.238.24.245

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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

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