{"product_id":"audiotechnicaat33xmlb","title":"Audio-Technica AT33xMLB MC Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Audio-Technica AT33xMLB is a moving-coil cartridge with a bare Microlinear diamond and boron cantilever that tracks the groove with very high precision.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt's the detail-obsessed member of the revised AT33x series: hand-built in Japan, with separately wound PCOCC-wire coils, a composite body of zinc die-cast, aluminum, and polymer, and a suspension that puts a pleasant warmth in the fundamental tone alongside the analytical cut. If you believe high resolution has to sound clinical, feel free to reconsider here.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy the AT33xMLB?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe bare Microlinear diamond (2.2 × 0.12 mil) sits in the groove wall with a narrow contact area that reaches far up. It reads out information a elliptical cut simply drives past – while distributing tracking force more gently across the groove at the same time. The massive boron cantilever passes this motion on to the coils with almost no loss: stiff, light, fast. At 0.42 mV, the AT33xMLB delivers a pleasingly strong, low-noise level for a low-output MC.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat you'll hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eResolution:\u003c\/strong\u003e cymbal strikes, string noise, and room reverb stay individually traceable even in dense passages.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransient accuracy:\u003c\/strong\u003e the boron cantilever reacts immediately – attacks come dry, with no ringing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStable stage:\u003c\/strong\u003e the independently wound coils and 27 dB channel separation draw the imaging cleanly and with sharp localization.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWarmth in the fundamental:\u003c\/strong\u003e the new suspension takes the edge off the high resolution without swallowing detail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting without cursing:\u003c\/strong\u003e M2.6 threaded holes in the body, no balancing tiny nuts over the headshell.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho is the AT33xMLB for – and who isn't it for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor you, if maximum detail retrieval matters more to you than gentle flattery: large orchestral works, audiophile pressings, well-kept originals. Straight talk: the fine Microlinear cut rewards careful work and punishes carelessness. On a misaligned tonearm, with imprecise tracking force, or on dusty flea-market records, you'll mostly hear what's wrong with the record. If you'd rather stay forgiving and uncomplicated, an elliptical system serves you better.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA high-resolution MC system that doesn't pay for its precision with coldness – hand-built in Japan and a very serious offering in this class. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, we'll mount and align the AT33xMLB for you properly on request, and tell you honestly beforehand whether it harmonizes with your tonearm and phono stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e moving coil (MC), dual moving coil with independent coils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency range:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20–45,000 Hz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutput voltage:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.42 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm\/s)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChannel separation:\u003c\/strong\u003e 27 dB (1 kHz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChannel balance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.0 dB (1 kHz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStylus tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e Microlinear, bare (2.2 × 0.12 mil)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCantilever:\u003c\/strong\u003e boron, solid, tapered\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTracking force:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.8–2.2 g (standard 2.0 g)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVertical tracking angle:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19°\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended load impedance:\u003c\/strong\u003e at least 100 ohms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoil impedance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12 ohms (1 kHz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDC resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12 ohms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDynamic compliance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6 × 10⁻⁶ cm\/dyne (100 Hz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStatic compliance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19 × 10⁻⁶ cm\/dyne\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMagnet:\u003c\/strong\u003e neodymium with Permendur yoke\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoil wire:\u003c\/strong\u003e PCOCC copper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e composite of zinc die-cast, aluminum, and polymer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e M2.6 threaded holes for direct mounting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (W × H × D):\u003c\/strong\u003e 16.6 × 16.0 × 26.1 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10.1 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e cartridge, non-magnetic screwdriver, cleaning brush, 2 washers, 2 mounting screws each M2.6 in 8, 10, and 13 mm, stylus guard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhich phono input do I need for the AT33xMLB?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn MC input or a step-up transformer. At 0.42 mV output voltage, the AT33xMLB is a classic low-output MC and stays noticeably too quiet on a plain MM input. The recommended load impedance is at least 100 ohms – most MC phono stages offer exactly this range as a standard setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat does the Microlinear cut offer over an elliptical cut?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe bare Microlinear diamond (2.2 × 0.12 mil) contacts the groove wall over a narrower, longer area than an elliptical cut. That noticeably raises high-frequency resolution and tracking precision, and distributes tracking force more gently across the groove. A precise setup of overhang, azimuth, and tracking force remains the prerequisite.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes the AT33xMLB suit my tonearm?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt 10.1 g weight and a dynamic compliance of 6 × 10⁻⁶ cm\/dyne, it belongs among the heavier, rather firmly suspended systems. Medium-mass to heavy tonearms are the ideal environment. On very light arms, it's worth checking counterweight and resonance frequency beforehand – just ask us, we'll run the numbers quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat's the difference between the AT33xMLB, the AT33xEN, and the AT33xMLD?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe AT33xMLB combines the bare Microlinear diamond with a massive boron cantilever and reaches up to 45,000 Hz. The AT33xMLD has the same Microlinear cut but a duralumin tube as cantilever and 0.4 mV output voltage. The AT33xEN uses a bare elliptical cut on duralumin and sounds a bit more forgiving.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Audio-Technica AT33xMLB at HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause a high-resolution MC system gives away half its potential without precise alignment. Our technician mounts and aligns the cartridge properly, and we'll tell you honestly whether it suits your tonearm and phono stage. Call us on 044 680 22 00, write via WhatsApp to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/41765342200\"\u003e076 534 22 00\u003c\/a\u003e (text only, no calls), or mail shop@hdzuerisee.ch.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with this\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe right foundation is among the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/plattenspieler\"\u003eturntables\u003c\/a\u003e, the needed amplification among the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/phono-vorverstarker\"\u003ephono preamps\u003c\/a\u003e. Find alternatives under \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonabnehmer\"\u003ecartridges\u003c\/a\u003e, and everything else around the groove is gathered under \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/alles-vinyl\"\u003eAll About Vinyl\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Audio Technica","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52989485285712,"sku":null,"price":825.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/audio-technica-at33xmlb-mc-tonabnehmer-schraegansicht.png?v=1785433342","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/audiotechnicaat33xmlb","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}