The only thing I don't like is that it tracks at 2.0 grams, I am used to:
Shure V15VxMR which tracks at 1g
AT440ml 1.25g
Shure Elliptical 97xe 1.25g
Grado Mono 1.5g
I believe the AT33PTG-II is beating the Shure V15VxMR because of it's greater channel separation, and it's tighter channel balance. It's not frequency, they produce the same range, detail, it's not about preferred bass kick as I expected, the AT is simply more 'open', the same sounds, but some space between. I keep saying, when you tweak balance of a track that is a little off, sometimes just a little bit, it is surprising how much of a difference it can make, this is similar to my ears.
The last 2 tracks of side 2 of this, all 3 guitarists play together, one of my all time favorites, and a very revealing test are better than I ever heard them with no doubt. They are 2 great tracks to refine anti-skate as well.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_Night_in_San_Francisco
The Shure is going upstairs to my office system, to have a listen out with the AT440ml on the Mitsubishi Vertical Turntable LT-5V
Someone said separation and specs are not a way to choose a cartridge, perhaps, but this AT33PTG-II has the best specs of any cartridge I own, and sounds better than anything I have ever owned, or heard at my Audiophile friends systems.
of course various ... is different than ... published specs are:
AT33: SUT 6.3mv; 15-50k; sep 30db; bal .5db, track 2.0g
Shure V15.. 3mv; 10-25k; sep 25db; bal 1.5db, track 1.0g (brush option)
AT440ml: 5.0mv; 5-32k; sep 30db; bal .75db; track 1.25g
Shure 97xe: 4mv; 20-22k; sep 25db; bal 2db; track 1.25g (brush option)
Grado Mono: 4mv; 10-55k; track 1.5g
I always preferred my Shure V15VxMR over my AT440ml, but primarily because of the brush, in TT prior location on springy floor, now both main and office systems are solid, no bruch needed. We shall see tomorrow upstairs.
