Audio Technica AT33xMLD MC Cartridges

The Audio Technica AT33xMLD MC Phono Cartridge represents the latest advancement in the venerable AT33 Series, bringing enhanced warmth and fullness to your music collection. This extensively updated cartridge incorporates technological and material improvements, including the first use of die-cast zinc at the cartridge base to suppress unwanted resonance and improve expressiveness in the mid-to-low frequency range.

Combined with aluminum and high-rigidity polymer, the composite body ensures balanced sound reproduction across the audio spectrum. The AT33xMLD is capable of revealing intricate musical details, making it ideal for rock and jazz records, particularly those from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Every musical nuance is presented with clarity, allowing for immersive and engaging playback.

Microlinear Stylus and Duralumin Cantilever

At the heart of the AT33xMLD is a microlinear nude stylus mounted on a rigid duralumin tapered pipe cantilever. This combination enables highly precise tracking and accurate reproduction of musical passages. The cantilever is paired with a newly developed suspension mechanism and rubber damper system, slightly lowering the dynamic compliance to produce more substantial mid-low frequencies.

This design enhances responsiveness, allowing instruments and vocals to sound warm, full-bodied, and realistic. The cartridge excels at reproducing complex musical textures, ensuring that every instrument or vocal line is clearly distinguished. Whether playing intricate jazz arrangements or high-energy rock tracks, the AT33xMLD delivers natural sound with depth and refinement.

Advanced Moving Coil Technology

The AT33xMLD features a dual moving coil design with independent left and right PCOCC coils positioned at the cantilever’s fulcrum to ensure pure signal transmission for each channel. A neodymium magnet and permendur yoke maximize energy efficiency for responsive, high-resolution playback.

The nude microlinear stylus tracks record grooves more accurately than conventional elliptical or conical styli, while the duralumin cantilever provides excellent high-frequency control. The cartridge body’s layered construction of die-cast zinc, aluminum, and polymer reduces resonance and ensures balanced tonal reproduction.

Threaded mounting holes simplify installation on a wide range of tonearms, making the AT33xMLD versatile and compatible with many turntable setups.

Handcrafted Japanese Excellence

Every AT33xMLD MC Phono Cartridge is meticulously handcrafted in Japan, reflecting over six decades of Audio-Technica expertise in transducer design. Thick gold-plated terminal pins reduce contact resistance and enhance overall sound quality. The dual moving coil configuration, combined with a composite cartridge body and advanced cantilever design, produces a natural, warm, and detailed audio signature.

While the stylus assembly is not field-replaceable, Audio-Technica provides a Moving Coil Exchange Program for professional servicing. Each cartridge is carefully finished and tested to maintain consistent performance, ensuring that listeners receive a reliable, high-fidelity experience from every record played.

Specs

- Frequency response: 20 to 42,000 Hz
- Channel separation: 27 dB (1 kHz)
- Vertical tracking angle: 19°
- Tracking force: 1.8 to 2.2 g (2.0 g standard)
- Recommended load impedance: ≥ 100 ohms (with head amplifier connected)
- Coil impedance: 12 ohms (1 kHz)
- DC resistance: 12 ohms
- Coil inductance: 26 μH (1 kHz)
- Output voltage: 0.4 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.)
- Output balance: 1.0 dB (1 kHz)
- Stylus shape: Nude Microlinear
- Cantilever: Duralumin tapered pipe
- Static compliance: 21 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne
- Dynamic compliance: 6 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne (100 Hz)
- Dimensions (H × W × D): 16.1 × 16.6 × 26.1 mm (0.63” × 0.65” × 1.0”)
- Accessories included: Non-magnetic screwdriver; Brush; Washer × 2; Cartridge installation screws (M2.6) (8 mm × 2, 10 mm × 2, 13 mm × 2); Protector
- Threaded hole: M2.6 × 2
- Stylus curvature radius: 2.2 × 0.12 mil
- Type: MC (Moving Coil)
- Weight: 10.1 g (0.36 oz)