ATN160ml Beryllium MicroLine Stylus on AT150e body

@elliottbnewcombjr "would you return it, try to get one with a true AT160 Body?"

I have original AT160ML, AT150E/Ea/MLX, and new ATN replacement styluses.. It seems original AT160ML body is earlier development, which used thinner wire, thus resistance and inductance is a bit higher than all AT150E/Ea/MLX (same body). This is a GOOD thing, because lower coil resistance/inductance reduces sensitivity to phono cable (R/L/C, shielding and phono-pre input capacitance. AT150 bodies sound clearer in the 5..20kHz region than AT160ML, in my setup using Accuphase AD2820 phono pre stage. AT150MLX (discontinued) uses the same body as AT150E, but has boron cantilever, and these days considered top of MM carts’ in mid price range!  

westcoastaudiophile

Thanks for sharing your knowledge about these wonderful cartridges. You didn't mention but obviously know about their wonderful sound, and I assume also value the light tracking, this AT150e body/ATN160ml beryllium/microline stylus combo happily tracks at only 1.25g.

I joined the forum, got a lot of help here, and began changing things just before Covid in late 2019, ended up completely revising 3 systems: Main (back to tubes); Office; Garage/Shop. Then, after creating my 3 arm TT, and finding a great Sony SACD Player xa-5400ES recommended here, I restored 2 pairs of AR-2ax speakers. Had 2,500 then Inherited over 4,000 lps, mostly Jazz played once or twice, much great Mono content prior to Stereo LP's in 1958. Gave away/sold over 2,000 LPs, more need to go.

Lately I have been assembling a small collection of alternate cartridges.  

My 'long in memory' reference favorite is the Shure V15Vxmr, MicroRidge on Beryllium Cantilever that tracked at only 1.0g. I used it (until I broke the beryllium cantilever) in my SME 3009 II Arm (which I renewed with help from SME) on my Thorens TD124 TT (which I renewed with help from Thorens).

All correspondence by mail in those days. I'll never forget the reply letter from SME: expecting a price quote, SME simply trusted me to pay, and shipped me the parts with an invoice here to the USA. Made me feel like a trusted gentleman.

@elliottbnewcombjr you’re welcome! I run those ATs at 1gf without problems, after tonearm maintenance complete..

How do you know when a cartridge is "happily tracking"?

listen jazz, piano, voice etc, or use Ortofon Test Record Vinyl LP if you’d prefer adv. measurements!