Audio-Technica AT33xMLD — Moving coil cartridge with Microlinear stylus and duralumin cantilever

The AT33xMLD sits in the middle of the AT33x series and shares the family's dual moving coil generator with independent PCOCC coils per channel, neodymium magnet and permendur yoke. That architecture keeps separation at 27 dB and signal transfer clean, while the die-cast zinc base — new in this generation — controls body resonance and stops the chassis colouring midrange and bass.

The difference from the model above is the cantilever: here it is a tapered duralumin tube, lighter and slightly less stiff than boron, joined to a firm suspension that trims dynamic load. The Microlinear stylus keeps the long contact profile at 2.2 × 0.12 mil, and declared response reaches 42 kHz. Output is 0.4 mV with 12 ohms internal impedance and 26 µH inductance, so it works well with medium-gain MC stages.

It weighs 10.1 grams and has M2.6 threaded holes to fasten it with two screws, which is especially handy on integrated arms with no room for nuts. With 1.8 to 2.2 g tracking force and 6 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne dynamic compliance, it is a stable, precise reader for jazz, classical and pressings with tricky passages. The stylus is not user-replaceable: servicing goes through Audio-Technica's moving coil exchange programme.

Technical specifications:

• Type: stereo dual moving coil (MC)
• Stylus: Microlinear · 2.2 × 0.12 mil
• Cantilever: tapered duralumin tube
• Coils: independent PCOCC per channel
• Magnet: neodymium · yoke: permendur
• Base: die-cast zinc
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 42,000 Hz
• Channel separation: 27 dB at 1 kHz
• Output voltage: 0.4 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/s)
• Coil impedance: 12 ohms (1 kHz) · DC resistance: 12 ohms
• Inductance: 26 µH (1 kHz)
• Recommended load: ≥ 100 ohms
• Tracking force: 1.8 – 2.2 g (2.0 g standard)
• Compliance: 21 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne static · 6 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne dynamic (100 Hz)
• Vertical tracking angle: 19°
• Mounting: half-inch, M2.6 × 2 threaded holes
• Weight: 10.1 g · dimensions: 16.1 × 16.6 × 26.1 mm
• Accessories: non-magnetic screwdriver, brush, 2 washers, M2.6 screws in 8, 10 and 13 mm