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Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Audio Technica AT71E Phono Cartridge by chrishenrici@starpower.net

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REVIEW: Audio Technica AT71E Phono Cartridge

216.15.47.66


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Model: AT71E
Category: Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price: $69
Description: MM phono cartridge
Manufacturer URL: Audio Technica
Manufacturer URL: Audio Technica

Review by chrishenrici@starpower.net ( A ) on March 25, 2004 at 21:04:47
IP Address: 216.15.47.66
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for the AT71E


This is a budget cartridge that performs very well for the money and you can get it for about $35 or $40 from online dealers. I decided to try some affordable AT cartridges for the fun of seeing what kind of performance you can get, this after getting tired of expensive cartridges (its no fun getting good sound when you just paid $700). The 71E appears to be very similar to the acclaimed AT95E, which is a UK cartridge, but is sold online by Lpgear in the US. The 71E has slightly better specifications than the 95E. I just got a 95E and a 440ML also but have'nt installed them yet. Will review when I do. I use a Rega 3 table and the 71E seems to be a good fit as far as arm height. I set it up precisely with a mobile fidelity geodisc. The sound is rich and dynamic, but without the midbass hump and hum of an equivalent Grado cartridge. I get almost no hum from the 71E. The cartridge is also quieter in the groove than I expected and tracks decently. I have used some fairly expensive MC cartridges and since they cost so much, they never turned out to be as good as I expected and also did not have the warm sound I associate with analog. The 71E gives better analog sound than it has any right to for its price- smooth and on the warmer side of neutral, there is definitely a loss of detail compared to more expensive carts, but it does alot right too. Imaging and Depth is good but obviously not up to MC standards. Jazz sounds particularly good with this cart, it is good with classical too but does'nt quite unravel everything distinctly, though the overall presentation is favorable. The loss of detail is most apparent on complex rock mixes. It is impressive what kind of performance you can get for so little- for one tenth or even 1/20th the money of an expensive MC or MM cartridge. Since I changed my system, I had to get a higher output cartridge and did'nt want to spend alot this time, the 71E has been a satisfying choice. I had'nt used an AT cartridge since the 70's and it's good to have one back in the system again. They are very well engineered and deliver very good sound for your dollar- I know alot of people like grados at the lower price point(I used one on a thornes for most of the 80's), but dealing with the grado wiggle and the grado hum is not the road I wanted to go down. The audio-technicas are a good alternative.


Product Weakness: loss of detail
Product Strengths: Rich and Dynamic. Good analog sound


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Aleph 30
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Grounded Grid
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Rega 3/Monolithic PS1
Speakers: Monitor audio studio 2SE
Cables/Interconnects: DH labs
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz, Rock, Classical
Room Size (LxWxH): 13 x 14 x 8
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Monster
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Audio Technica AT71E Phono Cartridge - chrishenrici@starpower.net 21:04:47 03/25/04 ( 3)