AT-CW1?

A

AnzacSonata

Super Member
This is supposed to be an "upgraded" counterweight for the (in)famous AT-LP120, but is it considered an "essential" upgrade piece for this deck? I am going to definitely swap out the felt slip mat for a thicker rubber variant (though I don't think I'll be doing the preamp removal surgery, instead relying on the "switched out" position of the pre so my receiver handles it) and will be getting an AT440MLa/b or immediate equivalent to replace my AT95E with, but is this counterweight really "necessary" in the upgrade path for the LP120...and does it truly yield any sonic improvements by supposedly moving the weight closer to the pivot point?

Thanks in advance...
 
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AnzacSonata said:
but is this counterweight really "necessary" in the upgrade path for the LP120...and does it truly yield any sonic improvements by supposedly moving the weight closer to the pivot point?

Thanks in advance...
Click to expand...

It may improve the sound, try it . :dunno:

If and when you need it to counter balance the headshell and cartridge , that when you really need it. :music:

"Audio-Technica AT-CW1 Heavy Counterweight

- Low limit: 13g combined weight of headshell, headshell wires, screws and nuts, and cartridge

- High limit: 18g combined weight of headshell, headshell wires, screws and nuts, and cartridge "
 
Balifly said:
It may improve the sound, try it . :dunno:

If and when you need it to counter balance the headshell and cartridge , that when you really need it. :music:

"Audio-Technica AT-CW1 Heavy Counterweight

- Low limit: 13g combined weight of headshell, headshell wires, screws and nuts, and cartridge

- High limit: 18g combined weight of headshell, headshell wires, screws and nuts, and cartridge "
Click to expand...

Thank you, sir. :bye:
 
The cartridge upgrade will have a far greater impact on sound quality than a slightly beefier counterweight. I would say, as an LP120 owner myself, it's not an essential upgrade. Take the money you would have spent on it and put it towards the cartridge or rubber mat (or more records!). I did put a rubber mat on mine, not for any hopes of sound improvement, but because the felt mat attracted static like crazy.

The LP120 isn't my only turntable, but man it gets its fair share of undue criticism. It's a far better deck than forumites would have you believe (most of whom bash everything because of printed specs, not any hands-on experience listening to the damn thing). I put an AT440mlb on mine and the sound quality is fantastic. Platter speed is dead-on and all my records are crystal-clear from beginning to end (no more inner groove distortion).
 
Most find the AT-440MLa (b) to sound it's best by having the VTA a hair lowered at the tonearm pivot side, with it's Microline stylus.
 
benricci said:
The cartridge upgrade will have a far greater impact on sound quality than a slightly beefier counterweight. I would say, as an LP120 owner myself, it's not an essential upgrade. Take the money you would have spent on it and put it towards the cartridge or rubber mat (or more records!). I did put a rubber mat on mine, not for any hopes of sound improvement, but because the felt mat attracted static like crazy.

The LP120 isn't my only turntable, but man it gets its fair share of undue criticism. It's a far better deck than forumites would have you believe (most of whom bash everything because of printed specs, not any hands-on experience listening to the damn thing). I put an AT440mlb on mine and the sound quality is fantastic. Platter speed is dead-on and all my records are crystal-clear from beginning to end (no more inner groove distortion).
Click to expand...

Thanks for all your input and opinion; indeed, I know how much bad press this turntable gets from those who immediately piss on it because of its built-in preamp and USB functionality (along with the specs on paper, which aren't as bad as Crosley or ION publishes...though I do agree that Audio-Technica should come out with an SL1200 competitor that doesn't have a built-in pre or USB function for more serious buyers). I'm going to stick with upgrading the cartridge to the 440 (or its current replacement equivalent) based on kind feedback like yours and others, and upgrade the mat (if anything, to dull that rings-like-a-bell platter and avoid the static, as you mentioned, caused by the felt mat which is really good for DJ purposes only...I know, as I used to be a mobile DJ back in the day and used two Stanton DJ PRO slip mats on my 1200s).

Thanks again, ben! :bigok::beerchug::thumbsup:
 
Ilikevinyl said:
Most find the AT-440MLa (b) to sound it's best by having the VTA a hair lowered at the tonearm pivot side, with it's Microline stylus.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I'm already at the lowest point of the tonearm height as allowed by this turntable (it comes stock with the height at its lowest point, and this still results in a slightly tail-up position). :dunno:
 
AnzacSonata said:
Unfortunately, I'm already at the lowest point of the tonearm height as allowed by this turntable (it comes stock with the height at its lowest point, and this still results in a slightly tail-up position). :dunno:
Click to expand...
I have the AT440mlb installed now on the LP120, and as long as you're at the "0" height adjust line, you'll be just fine with this cart. Sure, it might be nice to get the arm slightly lower, but again, I advise you to give it a listen with the new cart (once you get your hands on it) before you let forum folk get you psyched out. I have it running at the lowest height I could get it at and it sounds just fantastic.

Just get it aligned properly and you'll enjoy it, trust me.
 
AnzacSonata said:
Unfortunately, I'm already at the lowest point of the tonearm height as allowed by this turntable (it comes stock with the height at its lowest point, and this still results in a slightly tail-up position). :dunno:
Click to expand...

You'll have to use a headshell spacer, between the cartridge and headshell. I bought an excellent set of them at Vinyl Nirvana. They come in different thicknesses so you can get the VTA correct! I'm using one of these for my Empire 2000Z, to get the arm totally level with the record surface. These work great and they are nonmagnetic!

http://vintagethorens.com/home/thorens-upgrade-parts/universal-mods-and-upgrades/01shim/
 
Ilikevinyl said:
You'll have to use a headshell spacer, between the cartridge and headshell. I bought an excellent set of them at Vinyl Nirvana. They come in different thicknesses so you can get the VTA correct! I'm using one of these for my Empire 2000Z, to get the arm totally level with the record surface. These work great and they are nonmagnetic!

http://vintagethorens.com/home/thorens-upgrade-parts/universal-mods-and-upgrades/01shim/
Click to expand...
AnzacSonata - in my opinion (take it for what it's worth), you don't really need to waste your money on this. Just install the cart and adjust the arm height to "0".
 
benricci said:
I have the AT440mlb installed now on the LP120, and as long as you're at the "0" height adjust line, you'll be just fine with this cart. Sure, it might be nice to get the arm slightly lower, but again, I advise you to give it a listen with the new cart (once you get your hands on it) before you let forum folk get you psyched out. I have it running at the lowest height I could get it at and it sounds just fantastic.

Just get it aligned properly and you'll enjoy it, trust me.
Click to expand...

I'm going to pick it up, ben -- as soon as I can cough up the scratch for it. Do you know anything about the model that replaced the MLa/b? Is it supposed to be better than these in any way?

When you say "zero" (0) on the height adjust, do you mean a bit higher than the turntable comes out of the box for the AT95E and stock felt mat?
 
AnzacSonata said:
I'm going to pick it up, ben -- as soon as I can cough up the scratch for it. Do you know anything about the model that replaced the MLa/b? Is it supposed to be better than these in any way?

When you say "zero" (0) on the height adjust, do you mean a bit higher than the turntable comes out of the box for the AT95E and stock felt mat?
Click to expand...
The new replacement is, for all intents and purposes, very similar. It can track a little heavier, if that means anything to you, but it's also about $50 more expensive. And you can still find new-in-box AT440mlb's at $199, in stock at many places.

By "0," I just mean get it as low as possible. I've found you can actually keep turning just a little bit to get it slightly lower than the actual "0" line marker under to the cue lever, but as low as you can on that turntable, with that cartridge, is the way to go.
 
AnzacSonata said:
Thanks; is "0" a higher position than the stock position? I can't recall, and I'm not in front of the turntable now...
Click to expand...
"0" is about as low as it goes. See photo below.
at120-tonearm-1024x635.jpg
 
benricci said:
The new replacement is, for all intents and purposes, very similar. It can track a little heavier, if that means anything to you, but it's also about $50 more expensive. And you can still find new-in-box AT440mlb's at $199, in stock at many places.
Click to expand...

Thanks -- though I thought the MLa/b was going for like $100 or slightly more...:dunno:
 
benricci said:
AnzacSonata - in my opinion (take it for what it's worth), you don't really need to waste your money on this. Just install the cart and adjust the arm height to "0".
Click to expand...

Was suggesting those headshell shims if the arm couldn't get a small slant to the arm. Having adjustable VTA like the SL-1200 series, you should be able to adjust the arm with most cartridges.
 
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