Audio Technica AT440ML Dual-Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge

After researching for inexpensive moving magnet (MM) cartridges, I would have to say for around $100, it's the best bargain cartridge one can purchase. I was surprised by the results, this cartridge tracks really well all the way into the innter groove of the LP. The microline diamond tip makes this possible. I have never heard my LP sounded this good back in the 80's (but then, it was a whole different set and price scale).

I am replacing an AT440PC that retailed for $270.00 back in 1985 and I loved. This is the current equivalent. I don't think it's quite as sweet sounding as the 440PC, but it's not completely broken in yet. I have owned Grados, Ortifons, and I tried the Sure M97xE before this and I returned it. To me there is no comparison, the AT is a VASTLY superior cartridge to all of these in my system. It gets five stars from me because at the price, I don't believe there is anything to compare to it.

Equipment:
Onkyo M504/P304 Amp/Preamp
Technics SL1200MKII
Acoustic Research 328PS Loudspeakers

I decided to resurrect my sound system last year. Got tired of seeing it sit in the cabinet collecting dust. Great equipment should be used after all. Those Klipsch speakers have hardly seen any use. There was a time when I spent hours listening to and recording albums on my sound system. Now that the kids are off on their own, time to break out my toys again.

I pulled everything out and gave everything a good once over. If something needed professional attention, the device went into the shop. Everything finally all hooked up and sounding good except for my Technics SL1710 with an ancient AT15sa cartridge.
Shopping around for advice, I came to Amazon.Com to see what I could find here. Liked the write ups on the AT440ML and the price was certainly in my budget. Placed my order.

A few days later, received my new cartridge from Electrinic Expo LLC. Anxious to hear my old albums again, I mounted the cartridge, pulled out my favorite Moody Blues album and gently cued the tonearm. I was amazed! I had just listened to the same album the night before and thought it was missing something. Thought it was a setting on my amp or maybe my equalizer needed tweaking. Now the album sounded clear and I heard passages that I had forgotten about. Delicate notes and tones. I was listening to a dynamic expanse of sound I had been missing before. The music was fuller and more robust while at the same time keeping the highs crisp and clear. I was very pleased.

Then I heard that the AT440ML was no longer available. Vendors were sending out the new AT440MLa in its place. I read how some folks were not happy with this arrangement. I took a closer look at my new cartridge and discovered that it, too, was an AT440MLa! Had I been the victim of a bait and switch sale? This cartridge isn't the one I ordered.

I decided to research the AT440MLa and was pleased to discover that the 440MLa is a superior cartridge. The 440MLa looks the same as the old 440ML, but boy does it ever sound different! It is not nearly as bright as the 440ML. It is much flatter. Bass response is solid and clean with no muddiness. Midrange is very neutral, and the high end is extended with no signs of brightness.

This cartridge sounds extremely refined. Most inexpensive cartridges tend to sound just that, cheap. They are either muddy, or bright and lacking detail. Not this one. It really sounds "expensive". It has what I like to call "layered depth". You don't simply hear the music, you hear into it.

For someone on a budget who desires a great little cartridge, this is the one. The AT440MLa certainly brought my system back to life.

This is the 440MLa. An excellent sound, with plenty of clean, high frequency detail. I don't find it too bright, but there is lots of variation, depending on the record. Good records really show up nicely. Much less tracking distortion that I'm used to and not the warm sound of the Grados, which I don't miss. My only gripe is the low tracking force...1.4g means it is easy for clumsy people, like me, to bump the stylus out of the groove.

I agree with Elder C.
If you try to buy this item, you'll never get it.
The seller send me new model AT440MLa, but it's worse than AT440ML.
The seller (Electronics Expo) don't answer to e-mail.
They should be ashamed
So if you want new cheep model - buy this, if you want real 440ML, find somewhere else.