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Audio Technica AT-OC9ML/II - any fans or users here ?

MisterDK

MisterDK

Addicted Member
Hey folks, I thought I’d give one of these a try so ordered mine today. They seem to have a little following and some decent specs for the price.

What are listeners thinking of this cartridge? As compared to other new MC’s in their price range?
Anyone using it with an SUT - or do you use a headamp - or MC phono pre?
 
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I have an AT-OC9ML/II paired with a Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena and like it a lot. The AT is not as refined as my admittedly more expensive Dynavector and Lyra cartridges, but the OC9ML/II by no means embarrasses itself when compared to these carts. That's why I think the OC9ML/II is one of the true bargains in audio.

The OC9ML/II reportedly works really well with SUT's. I purchased a couple of SUT's from AK member @Redboy to use with my OC9ML/II but haven't had a chance to try them out yet.
 
yes I have one as well as many other LOMC carts. It does pretty well. very musical sounding cart. Not the last degree of detail, leave that for the ART-9 and especially the ART-1000

its quiet though and does track well, tracks better than some much higher dollar LOMC carts I have.

best
 
I use one in the main system. See my signature for detail. I enjoy what I'm hearing. Excellent dynamics and soundstage with a lot of space between instruments. Nice value with this cart, no doubt.

MIC
 
Thanks, guys. Mine should be here within a week. Planning on pairing it with a Ned Clayton SUT that has a 1:10 ratio, then into a Schiit Mani. While I’d prefer a more exotic (adjustable) phono pre than the Mani, it does sound fairly good.

Nobody using the OC-9ML/II with a SUT?
 
I've used the newer generation of OC9 (OC9XML) and a Rothwell MCL SUT with very good results. Currently that cartridge is in the drawer as I've been using an Ortofon Cadenza Blue for the past 9 months or so.
 
Tedrick said:
I have an AT-OC9ML/II paired with a Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena and like it a lot. The AT is not as refined as my admittedly more expensive Dynavector and Lyra cartridges, but the OC9ML/II by no means embarrasses itself when compared to these carts. That's why I think the OC9ML/II is one of the true bargains in audio.
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+1

I compared mine with a newly acquired Lyra Kleos a few years ago. The Kleos had slightly better tonal texture, but the difference was by no means a slam dunk.

If i had to pare down my collection of cartridges, my OC9/II would be one of the last to go. For the money I would get for them (I have 2), parting with them would be foolish.
 
I have used both the II and the III for a while now and think they are hard to beat for the money you can find them for. Now that is based on what I pay for them off eBay, from a buyer that discounts it quite a bit. I have not found a cart I like better for the price. I have yet to find the higher end AT carts discounted much or I would might try one of them. I have found AT OC9/II's for less than 300 brand new, and my III's for slight more but not much, which is much less than what they retail for.
 
I went through two of the II's over a 10 year span on my PX2. It's a great do it all cart that shows you what MC is all about, and it tracks anything.

Now, I like a more mellow sound so the 33EV would be my go to in that price range...

Jblnut
 
Ken Boyd said:
I have used both the II and the III for a while now and think they are hard to beat for the money you can find them for. Now that is based on what I pay for them off eBay, from a buyer that discounts it quite a bit. I have not found a cart I like better for the price. I have yet to find the higher end AT carts discounted much or I would might try one of them. I have found AT OC9/II's for less than 300 brand new, and my III's for slight more but not much, which is much less than what they retail for.
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Ken, do you notice much difference between the II and III?
BTW - I probably bought mine from that same ebay seller. Was under $300 shipped, including the tax.

Actually have two different SUT’s to try now, one with Reichenbach transformers and another with Beyer. Each has a setting that gives around 1:10-1:12 step up.
 
MisterDK said:
Ken, do you notice much difference between the II and III?
BTW - I probably bought mine from that same ebay seller. Was under $300 shipped, including the tax.

Actually have two different SUT’s to try now, one with Reichenbach transformers and another with Beyer. Each has a setting that gives around 1:10-1:12 step up.
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I didn't really notice any difference between the series II and the series III. I don't really know if there was any improvement done. In fact I have purchased a couple of the series II recently because the price was right, and then a series III as well. I figured when they discontinue them it will be end of the low prices. I know the series II specs says gold plated boron cantilever, while that is not mentioned on the series III. It might be the same cantilever but it is so small it is hard to tell.
 
Another great bonus feature of this cart is that the gold plated cantilever seems to shed dust and crud better than any others in my experience. Not that my records are very dirty mind you - it's just the the thing never seemed to get crudded up like every other cart I had owned.

Jblnut
 
jblnut said:
Another great bonus feature of this cart is that the gold plated cantilever seems to shed dust and crud better than any others in my experience. Not that my records are very dirty mind you - it's just the the thing never seemed to get crudded up like every other cart I had owned.

Jblnut
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I notice the same thing, wasn't sure if it was the profile or the plating.
 
jblnut said:
Another great bonus feature of this cart is that the gold plated cantilever seems to shed dust and crud better than any others in my experience. Not that my records are very dirty mind you - it's just the the thing never seemed to get crudded up like every other cart I had owned.

Jblnut
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I think it has to do with the Microline stylus. I have a VM540ML that doesn't pick up much dust at all, my records aren't dirty.
 
most likely its not dust the stylus is picking up, its mold release from the grooves. that stuff is very tough to remove. either have to use ultra sonics or 4x to 6x cleaning cycles on a vac machine. on the LPs I super cleaned, stylus tip stays pretty clean. the other thing super cleaning does is make the LP much quieter, and lets much more micro detail and imaging come through.
 
Well - thought I should comment on my AT-OC9ML/II, since I’ve been hearing it for a few days now. I really like this one.
Not only was it relatively inexpensive - it sounds super. Quiet backgrounds, tracks very nicely, has good detail without being too analytical or too bright. Just a really sweet sounding cartridge. Glad I tried one.

This makes me now want to play with better phono preamps.. I’m using my Schiit Mani on the high gain / 47 Ohm loading. I did try a couple different SUTs with it and the better sounding of the two really didn’t improve the sound of my phono pre on the high gain setting. Though it sounds very nice, I want to keep experimenting (I’m sure you know the story..).

Next step - a better phono preamp with more gain and loading options.

As for the AT-OC9ML/II cartridge? - It’s highly recommended.
 
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