D. Paul Navigator

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Amount paid $84

Terrific, and maybe the best buy cartridge on the market. If I was going to improve on this cartridge, the next step would be an Audio Technica moving coil. It tracks better than any cartridge I've ever used (I used many), including my second table and cartridge the AT311ED with the Shibata stylus (my second favorite). It's micro linear design, which rides a path similar to the original cutter on the record master (V shaped stylus). The output of this cartridge is very sensitive to the quality of your preamp, so if yours doesn't have the sound you expect, try replacing your preamp and bi-pass the one on your receiver. After all, if you had a moving coil you would match the quality of the cartridge with a similar quality preamp, now wouldn't you? The highs are airy and detailed, the mid range is there without that honkiness that older cartridges give you. My bass is solid (keeping in mind that bass is weak on some older records). Several of my Buddy Miles albums really hit the low notes, while other albums don't seem to have a lot (output equals input). Some others have said this stylus could track the Telac 1812 cannon shots, and they are absolutely correct, as very few others will consistently stay in the track. I only gave the rating 4 stars on "money doesn't matter", because a great moving coil cartridge this is not. However, it might be the best Moving Magnet you would ever want to invest in.

automaticmojo

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
While this cartridge has all the nice design features and great stylus design, it's real world execution leaves a bit to be desired.
The 3 main problems I have found, after 100 hours of use. 1st, It is over analytical, in the highs. The detail is harsh, and lacks musicality. Reminds me of badly mastered 1st generation CD's. 2nd, the midrange is suspect, piano solo's come off as blurry, off balance and unfocused, as best I can desrcibe..far from sounding realistic.
3rd, the bass is a bit lean on many 70's rock albums, and particuliarly Beatles(60's) lp's. This I could live with, but the overall balance of this catridge makes it hard to listen to IMHO.
I would suggest a Audio Technica 120 E/T. At $80, and after break in (the suggested 100 hour break is exagterated in my experience, around 20-35 hours and it sounds great-the brightness subsiding) the overall balance is much better. The lows are fast and quick, without being lean, or bloated. The mids are sweet and accurate, and the highs are crystal clear and sweet, no harshness here.
You can save a minimum of $40 off the current LP Gear price, and save it for extra vinyl, cleaning supplies, what ever.
I think the bodies of these 2 cartridges are similiar in design. Perhaps the micro ridge stylus of the 440mla is less ideal than the .3x.7 elliptical in this body design.
I have found quite a few people who have some problems with the sound of the 440mla, but few if any who don't appreciate the 120 e/t.

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loepke72

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $100.00 from LPGear

Summary:
After reading many positive things about this cartridge, I decided to try one for myself as the Grado I was using was wearing out its stylus. I mounted the cartridge to a Technics SL-1200Mk5, and after setting up the cartridge to specs, tried out a few inner groove "torture tracks" to see how well it performed against what others had been saying. It sounded a bit "trebly" at first, but I was stunned when some records I thought had groove damage actually sounded clear! I had been listening to cartridge distortion, not worn records all this time. To be fair, the Grado stylus had more than a few hours on it and it still did better on inner groove tracks than some other cartridges I've used. In addition to excellent inner groove performance, this cartridge has the best tracking ability out of anything I have used up to this time. If there is distortion, it's the record that's the problem. This cartridge even tracks the infamous Telarc 1812 overture cannon shots at the manufacturer's specified tracking force without skipping. The much-praised Shure V15VxMR I had some time ago couldn't even do this.

However, there is a slight tradeoff at this price: the frequency response does not sound to be quite flat to my ears. The midrange sounds somewhat lower, while the treble is emphasized. Mind you, it's pretty slight, and is really only noticeable in an A-B comparison against something else, be it a CD or other cartridge.

What others have said regarding break-in I also found true. The cartridge sounded ear-piercing bright for some time, then I found it mellowed out after a few weeks of playing a few hours a day, on average. So, if you buy one and find it bright, give it some time and you'll be pleased.

I give this cartridge 5 stars because it does so many things right for a good price compared to the competition. If you are in need of a cartridge but don't have lots of money to spend, you can't go wrong with the AT-440MLa, especially if your system tends toward the "dark" or "warm" sound.

Strengths:
Great overall performance at this price, will track anything, virtually no inner groove distortion

Weaknesses:
Tends to the brighter side

Similar Products Used:
Grado Prestige Green, Shure V15VxMR, Denon DL-103, Denon DL-160

James Robertson

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $84.00 from LP Gear

Summary:
The AT 440 MLa is a really fantastic value considering the crazy prices of some esoteric cartridges these days. I am delighted to have found this at a reasonable price. After bending the stylis on a Dynavector 20XH rendering it garbage, I have become a little shy of expensive cartridges that do not have replaceable needles. I actually find this needle to be more involving than the Dynavector which was 5 times the price. the Dynavector was on an LP12 with an Akito arm(maybe not a good match?) . The AT 440 mla is on a Systemdek XII with a brand new Jelco 250 S tone arm (very good match). Top to bottom this cartridge sounds fabulous. The highs have the right amount of presence and are silky smooth. Midrange is open and natural. Base is tuneful and fast. The tonal balance of the presentation seems just right in my system.

There are alot of cartridges on the market. I doubt there is a better one at this special price of $84.99. If there is I would like to hear about it.

Strengths:
musical and well balanced performance.
Amazing value for dollar when you consider the prices of other products

Weaknesses:
none at this price

Similar Products Used:
Shure 92?, AT 130E, Grado Signature 8, Grado Gold, Goldring Eroica, Linn K9, Dynavector 20XH

Price Paid:  $85.00 from LP Gear

Summary:
This Cartridge was a great choice for my system. It is very musical and sounds alot more expensive than it cost. My last purchase of a cartridge was a Dynavector 20XH at more than 5 times the price of this $85.00 dollar baby. The AT 440MLa sounds as good or better in my system ( I had an accident and bent the tip of the Dynavector and therefore have been scared away from higher priced cartridges that do not have replacable tips). For reference the Dynavector experience was on an LP12 with an Akito arm. My current Audio technica is on a Systemdek IIV with a new Jelco 250 S tonearm. Top to bottom this Cartridge has really satisfying detail. At this point my cartridge is likely not fully broken in but I am already completely happy with the performance. At the suggested retail price I immagine this product may have some competition Grado Gold? Sumiko Bluepoint?but at the 85.00 price I cannot imagine anything beating its performance. I think I might buy another for a spare in case the special pricing goes away. Considering the ridiculous prices that can be spent on cartridges these days, at $85.00 this product represents an amazing value.

Strengths:
Great hi frequency resolution open and natural mids and tuneful fast base. makes for an involving listen. It tracks well and it seems to show less surface noise than my Linn K9

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Shure 92?and Grado Signature 8 on a Rega planner3, Linn K9 on planner 3, LP12 and Systemdek IIV Goldring Eroica on a MMF7 that I still own, Dynavector 20XH on LP12