Binding: Electronics
Brand: Audio-Technica
EAN: 0420051025010
Feature: Extremely precise dual-moving magnet phono cartridge
Label: Audio Technica
Manufacturer: Audio Technica
Material Type: Plastic
Model: AT440ML
Publisher: Audio Technica
Studio: Audio Technica
MPN: AT440ML

• Extremely precise dual-moving magnet phono cartridge
• MicroLine shaped diamond stylus closely tracks tough-to-reach grooves
• Multi-level stylus shape wears evenly over time to extend record life
• 5 Hz to 32 kHz frequency response; lifespan of roughly 1,000 hours
• Includes 1/2-inch mount; 1-year warranty

All of Audio-Technica's phonograph cartridges employ the low-mass, high output moving magnet structure. With their low mass and high tracking ability, these cartridges are very gentle on your irreplaceable records. AT440ML specifications include: Frequency Response (Hz): 5-32, 000; Channel Separation: 30/20 (dB at 1 kHz/10 kHz); Vertical Tracking Force (grams): 0.8-1.6; Stylus Construction: nude square shank; Recommended Load Impedance (ohms): 47, 000; Output: 5.0 (mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec); Channel Balance (dB): 0.75; Stylus Shape: MicroLine; Cantilever: tapered alloy tube; Mount: half-inch.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Good detail...low tracking force
Comment: An excellent sound, with plenty of clean, high frequency detail. Much less tracking distortion that I'm used to. My only gripe is the low tracking force...1.4g means it is easy for clumsy people, like me, to bump the stylus out of the groove.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Beware!!! Not what I ordered
Comment: I agree with Elder C.
If you try to buy this item, you'll never get it.
The seller send me new model AT440MLa, but it's worse than AT440ML.
The seller (Electronics Expo) don't answer to e-mail.
They should be ashamed
So if you want new cheep model - buy this, if you want real 440ML, find somewhere else.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Discontinued
Comment: This AT440ML cartridge has been discontinued and is no longer available. The replacement is AT440MLa. If you order this item you will be getting he 440MLa which has a frequency response of 20Hz-20KHz, and not the 5Hz-32KHz advertised. The seller (Electronics Expo) does not tell you this or respond when they are emailed. Be Aware.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: worthwhile
Comment: This inexpensive cartridge is certainly different from the usual budget item. It sounds very clean and clear. Plus the state of the art stylus tracks as well as anything out there. But...it may well be too "bright" for some. If this were an expensive cartridge I'd have second thoughts. However, for the price, I think it's better than the Ortofon Super OM series in most respects. For those looking elsewhere, a good alternative is the Denon DL-160 (which runs about twice the price).

After working a bit with this item I offer the following: it is quite sensitive to VTA. Once this is dialed in correctly the sound is quite respectable and very detailed. The brightness is more or less reduced, and the overall presentation becomes detailed and more refined.

Update: After working some more and changing out gear, my rating of this cartridge is even higher. Using the relatively inexpensive Rolls Bellari tube phono stage with a Dared tube amplifier, any brightness has tamed and the sound is very smooth and detailed. With this combination the AT is, IMO, better than either the erstwhile Shure V-15x MR or Denon DL-160.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Made a cheap turntable sound great on a high-end system.
Comment: I decided to dust off my old Technics direct drive turntable and play some records in the family room for the kids. I connected it to my system, a rather high-end Naim Audio preamp and amp with KEF speakers, and it sounded just like you'd expect a typical turntable would sound when mated with a high end audiophile type stereo system.

I did some research and found that the Shure cartridge (an M94 type that was purchased several years ago) really didn't get very good reviews, so before buying a new turntable I figured I'd try just upgrading the cartridge. I chose this one because of all the rave reviews and because reviewers went out of their way to say how bright and "CD like" this cartridge made their records sound.

This is exactly what I wanted because my system already excels in base and midrange, and I didn't need a cartridge that emphasizes what my system is already good at, but rather what it's not so good at.

So I bought this cartridge and carefully set it up according to instructions. Be careful to get the overhang as close as you can to specs for your turntable!

I washed off and played an old Andrews Sisters Greatest Hits record from the 70's. The horns jumped out at me and that old swing music just rocked my world! The difference this cartridge made was like night and day. Now I've got a cheap old turntable wired to a snooty high-end British system and it's actually sounding pretty good.

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