Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Audio Technica OC9ML/II Phono Cartridge by tpao

Model:	OC9ML/II
Category:	Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price:	$499.00
Description:	Dual Moving MicroCoilâ„¢ Cartridge
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Technica
Model Picture:	View

Review by tpao on June 21, 2008 at 16:54:35
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for the OC9ML/II

I received this cartridge as a Father's Day gift after suggesting (hinting) at a range of items. I was surprised by both the choice and in its ability to transform a relatively modest system into a surprising 2-channel listening experience.

I have a few turntable systems so I decided to mount the OC-9 on the very first turntable I bought, now a vintage & slightly tweaked 1978 JVC QL-A2 DD with an S-shaped medium mass tonearm. This turntable has been relegated to den system vinyl playback duty along with an older Yamaha DSP-A1 integrated amplifier, DIY 2-way speakers using an 8" Scan Speak woofer and and Usher tweeter, and the usual A/V components. The lower octave for this system is handled by an RBH 10" subwoofer. All in all I believe this is still a capable home theater/2-channel sytem which I could live with (and did for a while) quite happily. As the phono section of the Yamaha is only for MM, I had to use a step-up transformer which I'd been storing, a Concord CT-40.

The interchangeable headshell on the JVC makes cartridge swapping easy, which is why I decided to try out the OC-9 in this system instead of anxiously undergoing the task of swapping out the Goldring Eroica LX in the MMF-7 of my main system. A spare Sumiko HS-4 headshell made this decision even easier. One thing that concerned me, however, was the recommended loading of the OC-9 when used with a SET, which is 20 ohms. But as with all things experimental I decided to leave the tweaking and fine-tuning for post-mounting and go ahead with the initial listening stage with the SET into the MM stage of the Yamaha which is quite good.

Having decided to take this easier route I fully expected to need to tweak this system further by playing with the loading, but that hasn't happened as of yet. The OC-9 in this set-up with 47K loading sounds great, with low-end grunt, mid-range clarity, and fully realized top end without any hint of the top end sizzle which I expected. Previously I had the Shure M97xE mounted in this system and while it seemed fine I would oftentimes start a record on this den system but then switch over to my main system for a more satisfying musical experience. This has often been the case; however, in the past few days I've been doing my main listening in the den with the OC-9. Has it been upgraded with the addition of the OC-9?

DEFINITELY.

After this initial listening period I may swap cartridges, phono preamps, or try some other combination but the old adage â€œif it ainâ€™t broke donâ€™t fix itâ€ conveniently applies for now, and Iâ€™m having a heckuva pleasant time in a smaller, more intimate corner of the house which seems appropriate for mood music, yet is now capable of more critical listening as well because of the addition of the AT OC-9 :-)

Product Weakness:	At 8g weight it may be a bit heavy for some tonearms without an optional heavier weight, but other than that I haven't encountered a weakness in this cartridge.
Product Strengths:	Across-the-spectrum clarity enhanced by very little groove noise. The OC-9 tracks extremely well and there is almost no inner groove sibilance. Older records sound %22cleaned-up%22 without having done so.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Yamaha DSP-A1
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): JVC QL-A2 DD, platter underside treated for resonance control
Speakers: DIY 2-way
Cables/Interconnects: nothing special but good quality ic's
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock, Pop, Jazz, Classical, World Music, New Age
Room Size (LxWxH): 20 x 15 x 8
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Yamaha DSP-A1
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	JVC QL-A2 DD, platter underside treated for resonance control
Speakers:	DIY 2-way
Cables/Interconnects:	nothing special but good quality ic's
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Pop, Jazz, Classical, World Music, New Age
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 15 x 8
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner