Audio Technica AT ML-180 Cartridge Advice
Dear chakster, You should be more precise. We are talking about cantilever/stylus combo by AT 180, 170 and 160. The carts can be different but why should the styli be different? The cantilever in my AT 160 is also gold plated boron pipe. That is the reason for my guess that all 3 are the same. How is 180 stylus ''totaly different''? The styli by AT have nearly identical construction. |
I am precise as much as your best MC cartridge, lol Even AT-ML150 cantilever is Gold Plated too, but it’s not Boron, it’s Gold Plated Beryllium. Here is a picture of my ex AT-ML150. So i just don’t know anything about your 160 model (can be beryllium or boron). But the next model in official Japanese catalog is AT-ML170 with different cantilever and different style of mounting stylus tip on this hollow boron cantilever: https://scontent-amt2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20139640_1791997270818432_584247051679766313_n.jpg?oh=... Why the AT-ML180 stylus/cantilever is different? The stylus is 0.08mm (for others it's 0.1 mm). Vertical tracking angle is 23 degree (for others it’s 20 degree). |
Dear @ateal: I think your today tonearm will works fine as a fact you can't say after the re-building which will be the new compliance figure or its VTF range. I was a fan of the 180 but not now. In the other side and with a vintage cartridge when the cantilever, stylus tip shape and dampers are changed the cartridge will performs with different performance quality levels. So you can choose boron but you can choose by material too that by its characteristics is better than boron. It's just an election, both can sounds good but I don't know for sure wich one can have higher quality levels. Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS, R. |
@ateal I'm gonna send one of my Stanton CS-100 WOS to Expert Stylus in the future to get Paratrance diamond and new cantilever. Then i will be able to compare it to the original Stereohedron. For rare Stanton top of the line cartridge owner the Expert Stylus was numero uno service. That's how i know about them, loads of feedbacks online. Now we have Nandrik as an advocate of Expert Stylus. The low pound is maybe the only one good thing about brexit. If you will send them your Audio-Technica let us know. Then i will think about mine But do you have the original Audio-Technica as the reference to compare the sound? If not then you never know what you got after refurbishing. There is nother service in UK called NordWest Analogue, but the guy never responded to my request regarding Audio-Technica and his prices is higher, you can try www.northwestanalogue.com/ |
WOW, so many great responses. Thanks so much for all the information. I need to go through it all and digest. Based on the comments it sounds like the lighter weight tonearm would be the best, which is what I am good with. Also sounds like I need to go for Boron with the best stylus profile. Thanks again |
