At tr441u cartridge replacement?

[Analog Dawg]

Hi. I have an AT tr441u cart on a Technics SL-QX200 TT. Sounds great but I’m wondering if there is an even better p-mount cart available or, if I should keep the cart, rather a recommended new stylus for it. Suggestions? Thanks.

 

[96heritage]

Reviving this old post as I just picked up a Technics SL-QD35 with this cartridge. Thoughts on the TR441U cartridge and if good, stylus recommendations?

 

[malden]

good cartridge

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/audio-technica/tr441.shtml

replacement stylus

ATN3472SE stylus for Audio-Technica TR-441U TR441U cartridge

Check out the deal on ATN3472SE stylus for Audio-Technica TR-441U TR441U cartridge at LP Gear

www.lpgear.com

 

[lini]

(...) Thoughts on the TR441U cartridge and if good, stylus recommendations?

That's one of the many AT300P family "renames".

Is it still equipped with the original TRN441U needle (should be a blue one)? If so, I'd be curious, which symbol it has on the bottom. Because the stange thing is, that the datasheet for the TR4x1U family shows two medium-sharp (= 0.3 x 0.7 mil) elliptical variants, but in case of the higher-ranking one (which is the TR441U) is doesn't say, that it would sport a nude diamond - so in that regard it would differ from the original AT300P family, in which there also are two medium-sharp elliptical variants, of which the higher-ranking one (= AT316EP with needle ATN3472NE) does sport a nude diamond, while the lower-ranking one (= AT311EP with needle ATN3472SE) only has a bonded diamond. So that makes me wonder, whether they might have merely forgotten to mention the nude diamond in case of the TR441U/TRN441U (which would actually seem very likely, as the rest of the specs match the AT316EP and the spec differences between the TR441U and the TR431U also are the same as between the AT316EP and AT311EP), in which case the symbol would be an elliptical outline only rather than an elliptical outline with a smaller, filled ellipse inside (just like for example the SN7 needle of the ATU4040EP (see for example there: https://cdn03.plentymarkets.com/x8o...Technica-ATU-4040-EP-T4P-Tonabnehmer-TA_1.jpg) vs. the ATN3472SE (see for example there: https://cdn03.plentymarkets.com/x8o...Technica-ATN-3472-SE-Nadel-fuer-AT-311-EP.jpg)).

Well, and equipped with the original, (supposedly) nude elliptical needle the TR441U could already be regarded as a pretty good, above entry-level model. And as the SL-QD35 also isn't bad at all, I'd suggest you to consider one of the higher quality replacement needle variants, like for example the hyperelliptical ones offered for example by Turntableneedles in the US or by DaCapo in Europe (see there: https://www.turntableneedles.com/AT...ades-AT85EP-etc-etc-Stock-213-DHE_p_3820.html and there https://www.dacapoaudio.com/2628-Audio-Technica-AT-3472-EP-styli.html).

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[96heritage]

Many thanks for the detailed reply Manfred! I'm getting back into vinyl after 35 years so lots to learn. Attached are some pictures of the cartridge and stylus the used turntable had on it. The needle looks rough, so for now I threw a cheap replacement stylus on it (last photo) and it sounds pretty good. I think I should try one of your recommendations but wanted to make sure my cart was as least as good as the AT85EP. LP Gear recommended their Carbon Fidelity CFT4PSE or T4P Reference Series VS (Shibata) cartridges. Said the Shibata may be better for worn records. Best Regards, Chris

 

[96heritage]

good cartridge

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/audio-technica/tr441.shtml

replacement stylus

ATN3472SE stylus for Audio-Technica TR-441U TR441U cartridge

Check out the deal on ATN3472SE stylus for Audio-Technica TR-441U TR441U cartridge at LP Gear

www.lpgear.com

Specs look good. Thanks for the link and stylus recommendation!