Any Audio Technica AT15XE fans out there

[scottyh777]

Damm this cartridge is sweet.I just got it last week and have spent the weekend giving it a spin.I seem to prefer this over my AT20Sla with 20SS sylus and 15Sa with 15Sa stylus.Perhaps the eliptical is a better match for my TT.Anyone else compare these and prefer the XE over Shibata or vice versa.

 

[hakaplan]

Even though the Shibata or line contact styli will retrieve more detail, sometimes that translates to a colder presentation. I love my AT440MLa, but often find myself going back to warmer sounding cartridges. For me it often depends on the particular music.

 

[scottyh777]

Even though the Shibata or line contact styli will retrieve more detail, sometimes that translates to a colder presentation. I love my AT440MLa, but often find myself going back to warmer sounding cartridges. For me it often depends on the particular music.

Have to check out the AT440MLa someday.Seems there are lots who love it. Then again alot of people seem to despise it as well.

 

[Blue Shadow]

There are those in the asylum that prefer the XE to the Sa stylus. The specs show a big difference in high frequency response necessitated by the Sa being CD-4 compatible.

 

[lini]

BS: Interestingly enough, the 15XE still has the Quadro-optimized generator version, whereas the lighter bodies models only used the Quadro-optimized generators for the models with Quadro-needles - i.e. 13Ea compared to 14Sa, 10 to 12E compared to 12S and 12XE compared to 12Sa had different generator versions.

But, anyway, it sure is a matter of taste - even using the same generator version. For example, personally I also like the ATN130E/132EP more than the ATN140LC, while I enjoy both the ATN150E and the ATN155LC/152LP. And my conclusion from that is, of course, that the LinearContact diamond needs a proper beryllium cantilever to shine.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini