Audio-Technica AT 14s cartridge advice!

[KentTeffeteller]

Hi all fine AKers,

I have a Audio-Technica AT14s cartridge. It needs a stylus. What options for a replacement do I have? How is it performance wise compared to a AT 110 E/T? Thanks!

 

[hakaplan]

Kent, your choices are ATS13 (AT13E) and ATS14 (AT14S). Check at turntableneedles, stereoneedles, lpgear and garage-a-records. Although the 110 has been praised as one of the best ever budget carts, I still think you will hear improvement with this one, if for no other reason that the stylus (either elliptical or Shibata) is better.

 

[markd51]

I don't know if this helps you much, but I owned a brand new AT14S Cartridge almost 35 years ago. I owned it, and at the time, my then brand new Shure V-15 Type III. Both were, and still are darn fine Cartridges. The AT14S compared very favorable against the Type III, and I used this Cartridge as I was a 4-channel freak back then.

The AT14S sported a Shibata Line Contact Stylus, and had a wide frequency response range, needed to pick up the 45khz CD-4 Carrier Signal for the rear channels.

Not a problem at all it appears, attaining a new AT factory Stylus, I believe LP Gear still carries them.

As to how this Cartridge sounds, I'm going by memory, but it wasn't ousted by very much against the Shure V-15 Type III on Stereo LPs. The Shure had a slight bit more warmth, and fullness in the Bass. The AT14S was very clean, and tight though, displaying very good detail extraction, and clarity.

Is it worth spending the money for a new Stylus? I think so. The AT14S in fine form should make an ass out of both the Shure M-97XE, and newer AT440.

I liked my old AT so much, I in fact luckily caught an ebay auction years ago for two brand new Quad AT's. An AT15S, and the flagship AT20SLa both still in thier boxes never used. A move I don't regret.

Today, I just recieved an ATN-SS20 Stylus from LP Gear as a spare for my AT20SLa, and undertand it will also fit my AT15S. I'll try to report on this in another thread, which was started about this Stylus-Cartridge.

LP Gear shipped fast, they are very good people to deal with, probably the largest Stylus replacement dealer in the world. Mark

 

[Doug G.]

Mark, you said you were a four channel freak back then. Does that mean your not now? :tears:

Doug

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for your fine replies. Looks like I will be getting a replacement for this cartridge. I liked it years ago on my old Dual. I will be using it on a Technics SL-1600. I plan on getting an AT with a conical for mono LP use on another headshell as well.

 

[koseltri]

I've got a 12Sa and a 15Sa. Love 'em both. Definitely keep the 14S.

 

[markd51]

Mark, you said you were a four channel freak back then. Does that mean your not now? :tears:

Doug

Hello Doug, Yes, I reckon you could say I still am.
Back in the day, I started my "affliction" with a small Sansui Quad Unit, with 4 Sansui AS-100 Speakers, then onto the QR-6500, and four JBL L-26 Decade Speakers. Then the Akai Quad R2R. I even remember having an old Wollensak Quad 8-Track Player-Recorder.

From there, to the TOTL Marantz 4400, and after the CRT display blew 6 months later, it was onto two McIntosh MC2105 Amps, and Bose 4401 Quad Pre-Amp with all decoders. I then moved up to four JBL L-65 Jubal Speakers, and the TEAC 3340S.

The TEAC, the MC2105's, and four JBL Jubals are still in my main system. I was also smart enough to keep every quad SQ, and CD-4 LP I ever bought, as well as any Discreet Quad Tapes.

Fast forwarding to present, I sold the Bose quad Pre-Amp many moons ago, it was a headache keeping it in working shape, bought a Mac pre for Stereo use, but then later bought two mint Sansui Quad recievers, a QRX-7500, and QRX-7001. I also bought another Quad TEAC R2R, a mint A2340R.

One day I'm going to have to change my Avatar from my Drums, to a current pic of my Audio Rig. Problem is, I'll need a wide angle lens to get it all in! lol Mark

 

[Ilikevinyl]

I had an Audio Technica AT-110e cartridge many years ago and did not like it at all, way too much inner groove distortion.

 

[BrocLuno]

The AT 14 was the forerunner of the AT140 which lead to the 440. That niche has ALWAYS been Audio Technicas best "working mans" cartridge in terms of affordability vs. performance. Was not cheap, but very close to the AT15 (now the 150) and above for sonics. An excellent cartridge and never to be tossed. AT and JICO make styli for it. Take your best shot and have fun

 

[Windwalker]

I've got a 12Sa and a 15Sa. Love 'em both. Definitely keep the 14S.

What is the difference between the XXSa and XXS models???
I've got the baby of the bunch a 120, and it seems I can replace with either but really don't see any difference in the specs between the two. Really just the price

 

[hakaplan]

What is the difference between the XXSa and XXS models???
I've got the baby of the bunch a 120, and it seems I can replace with either but really don't see any difference in the specs between the two. Really just the price

120? You mean a 12? No difference in the tip, only the plastic shell.

 

[Windwalker]

120? You mean a 12? No difference in the tip, only the plastic shell.

Yes Hak, meant 12
Twas late and fat fingers were at work

Are all in that series pretty much the same 12/13/14/15, one would work with either's body

 

[hakaplan]

Check out this site:

http://www.stereoneedles.com/audio-technica.html

I believe Group A and B are interchangeable, but as for the 13, 14, and 15, I don't know.

 

[BrocLuno]

The sonics get better as you move up the range. The form factor is the similar, but the performance is NOT.

 

[Joseph G]

Good afternoon, having owned the entire line AT-10 thru AT14s I have acquired some knowledge about the differences besides the stylus shape. The AT-10 and 12 are significantly more microphonic than the 14 and the 14 has a measurable increase in channel separation as well. As far as getting a new tip, there might still be one out there somewhere. I recommend the original tip, as it has a great overall tone and low end. It is a fantastic cartridge, much lighter in mass to the 14sa and 20sa which makes it pair well with most tonesrms

 

[lini]

(...) much lighter in mass to the 14sa (...)

I guess, you rather meant the 15Sa - 'cause the 13Ea and 14Sa are lighter than the 13E and 14S.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[samrobertson]

I’m looking for a stylus replacement for a JVC-4MD20X which I believe is a repackaged ATS14. Am I restricted to the pfanstiehl 612 family or is the 201 also compatible?

 

[lini]

Sam: Suitable original needles would be the VM35-EL, VM35-FD, ATS13 (alias 201-DEM) and ATS14 (alias 201-DQ). Whereas the ATN12XE (alias 201-DE) and the ATN12S (alias 201-DQX) as well as all other AT10 to AT12, AT-VM3 & -VM8 family needles probably rather wouldn't properly fit, 'cause iirc on these (also including the numerous "renames") the rear end of the generator shell is pretty much flush with the bottom of the mounting frame/plastic case, while on the VM35ers as well as the AT13E and AT14S (also including the numerous renames) there's a step between the rear end of the generator shell and the bottom of the mounting frame, with the latter reaching a bit lower (in mounting orientation).

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

P.S.: Oops - forgot to mention the original 4DT-20X. And maybe I should also mention, that the VM35-EL as well as the ATS13 are elliptical variants - both nude, but the former with medium-sharp (0.3 x 0.7 mil), the latter with sharp (0.2 x 0.7 mil) tip.

 

[samrobertson]

Well gee I wonder why I was confused haha. Thank you for clearing up the options for me!

I’m very excited to try this cart out and the original shibata stylus even looks like it may have some life left too.

 

[lini]

(...) Thank you for clearing up the options for me! (...)

You're welcome. And yup, in this case it's a bit confusing - because for whatever odd reason Pfanstiehl has sorted needles for two not quite compatible families into the same group. In my view 200-DEX for the ATN12XE and 200-DQX for the ATN12S (and 200-DQ for the ATS12S) would have been a lot more logical.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini