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Blind Test: AT150MLx vs AT440MLa

Q-E-2

Q-E-2

Active Member
Hi there! :)

Here I go again with another blind test ;) Click on the image to watch the video:

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Since YouTube compresses the audio, I've decided to provide some lossless files (96/24):

AT440MLa vs. AT150MLx Blind Test Lossless Files

Signal chain: AT440MLa/AT150MLx - KAB Modded Technics SL1200MK5 with Achromat - Pro-Ject Tube Box DS (47pF) - Tascam DA-3000 (PCM 96/24).

Which one do you prefer, A or B?

On Sunday I'll publish which cartridge corresponds to each sample :D [see reply #35]

Please, comment and most of all enjoy! :banana:

Regards ^_^
 
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Hard to tell the diff on your setup but thanks for sharing. I choose "A"
 
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Always interesting. Hard to tell, listened only to 1A and 1B. Felt that the 1B was a little cleaner. I´m guessing the B is the 150MLx.
 
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A is more dynamic....can hear into the quiet spaces more deeply, and the bass has more punch. I'm guessing it's the 150mlx.
 
I would say A is the 440 and B is the 150.
B has better midrange and warmer. A has better high but the mids are lacking so it sounds colder.
 
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I know the intention of this is not to critique, but all four samples sound a bit lacking in bottom end ? (possibly even a bit thin ?). I have used an AT440MLa for many years up until recently and whilst it does of course have a tendency to brightness I'm sure there was more mid and bottom range than I'm hearing here ? But who am I to say, everyone has their own preference on set up I guess (and I'm certainly no Michael Jackson fan so maybe that's how it's supposed to sound...........)
 
mjwraw said:
I know the intention of this is not to critique, but all four samples sound a bit lacking in bottom end ? (possibly even a bit thin ?). I have used an AT440MLa for many years up until recently and whilst it does of course have a tendency to brightness I'm sure there was more mid and bottom range than I'm hearing here ? But who am I to say, everyone has their own preference on set up I guess (and I'm certainly no Michael Jackson fan so maybe that's how it's supposed to sound...........)
Click to expand...

Bottom end really depends on the sound engineer and the cut engineer. I think most popular albums after mid 80's are pressed with less lower end so they can fit more songs on one single album.
 
I definitely prefer B for both songs. The samples aren't drastically different, but B has a more balanced frequency spectrum. On B, highs aren't as prominent, and there's a bit more middle frequencies presence. Because of the high frequency response, I dare to say that the A samples were recorded with the AT440MLa.
 
jasonsong86 said:
Bottom end really depends on the sound engineer and the cut engineer. I think most popular albums after mid 80's are pressed with less lower end so they can fit more songs on one single album.
Click to expand...

Not picking on you, but bottom end depends on phono stage used.

'ner
 
Good timing for me - I'm currently breaking in an AT440MLa, my first non-Shure cart.

Using headphones, both carts in the blind test sound very close. That said, Cart A seems to have a slightly richer, livelier sound, while Cart B is a tad bit duller to my ears - just by a tiny fraction.

So I'm going:
Cart A - AT150MLx
Cart B - AT440MLa

I'm currently very happy with my 440, and if the above is wrong, then I'll be even happier. :music:
 
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"It's got a good beat and you can dance to it."

The two samples are very close. I hear more bass in Cart B, and more of the high end in cart A. I would not hazard a guess as to which is which.
 
jasonsong86 said:
Well if you want add all the variables then everything in the loop can affect how the music sounds to you.
I am talking about the only variable is the records.
Click to expand...

The phono preamp is the number one source for proper bass as it has the RIAA EQ in it. If its not done correctly, you can have a $10K cartridge sound like ****. Why do you think that there are just about as many phono preamps as there are phono cartridges? And I'm not even talking about the phono pres built into receivers and line preamps.

Many guys do not get the RIAA slope correct. That is why I made the comment.

'ner
 
WaynerN said:
The phono preamp is the number one source for proper bass as it has the RIAA EQ in it. If its not done correctly, you can have a $10K cartridge sound like ****. Why do you think that there are just about as many phono preamps as there are phono cartridges? And I'm not even talking about the phono pres built into receivers and line preamps.

Many guys do not get the RIAA slope correct. That is why I made the comment.

'ner
Click to expand...

Well what do you think the bassy one you are hearing is correct?
Unless it's studio grade reference RIAA certified pre-amp, there is always going to be some coloration. Just as amps, and speakers.
My point is you can't isolate one devices out of a very complicated system and say it's the most important.
I can buy a $3k pre-amp and connect it to some $50 speakers, you are not gonna get the sound you are looking for.
There are just as many receiver, as many speakers, as there are pre-amps. Quantity is not really connected to importance.
 
Well, if you can't get it right on the first step, the rest of the steps aint worth it. The OP really hasn't filled in all the blanks either. The cartridges are not the same in a few ways. Did he run both at the same VTF, and what was the VTF? I asked before what the alignment was. The cartridges have different weights, did he compensate for that?

To do a correct comparison, you have to eliminate all of the variables. Are the 2 cartridges of the same height? If not did, the OP take that into account and adjust the arm for each? I'm not trying to be a stick in the mud here but me thinks this could be a case of comparing apples to oranges if it is not done correctly. That is all I'm saying.

There is already a complaint about the bass response, and I know the AT440MLa is not bass shy.
 
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WaynerN said:
Well, if you can't get it right on the first step, the rest of the steps aint worth it. The OP really hasn't filled in all the blanks either. The cartridges are not the same in a few ways. Did he run both at the same VTF, and what was the VTF? I asked before what the alignment was. The cartridges have different weights, did he compensate for that?

To do a correct comparison, you have to eliminate all of the variables. Are the 2 cartridges of the same height? If not did, the OP take that into account and adjust the arm for each? I'm not trying to be a stick in the mud here but me thinks this could be a case of comparing apples to oranges if it is not done correctly. That is all I'm saying.

There is already a complaint about the bass response, and I know the AT440MLa is not bass shy.
Click to expand...

The beauty of sound is it sounds different to each person.

Well you can also say you can get it right every step and the last step, you don't and that ruins the whole package. What if the last step is your ears? Do your ears have perfect flat frequency response? I know mine dont.

The other thing is have you listened to the particular album? Maybe it just sounds naturally thin.

You should try to record the audio coming straight out of the pre-amp and do a comparison how much coloration the rest of your equipment adds to the sound and you will be amazed.
I recorded this last night straight out of my DJPre II pre-amp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGZyfHOIkEc
 
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"a" sounds cleaner, higher. 'B " sounds like what we sold in store, BOSE, no highs no lows...Bose.
 
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