Audio Technica is a PU manufacturer that easily receives high attention around their products. Not because most of the pickups represent the ultimate HighEnd, but because they almost invariably provide particularly high value for money. We have also experienced this in several tests at Audiophile.no, most recently via Arve's review of three of the PUs in the AT-VM95 series , but also a little earlier in his review of AT-VM740 and 760 , not to forget the review of the two MC-PUs AT33PTG / II and AT33SA
Audio Technica showed off their latest collection, the new updated series AT-OC9X at this year's HighEnd in Munich, and now in July they promise it will be available on the market. This MC series consists of a total of five models, with different stylus shape
Audio Technica claim that each model has a number of improvements, and one of them is a new Dual Moving Coil structure. It should ensure optimum channel separation and better frequency response. The three most expensive models have also received an upgraded cantilever in boron, while the two most expensive models have cantilever in aluminum. All models have aluminum housings and threaded mounting holes that prevent you from using nuts.
AT-LH headshell
A new series of aluminum headshells has also been developed. The series is called AT-LH, and consists of three models - AT-LH13H, AT-LH15H and AT-LH18H, where the double-digit number in the model designation indicates the weight of the headshell.
AT OC9XEB
This is the most affordable model and can be expected to get a price tag that is 10-20% higher than the most expensive Shibata model in the AT-VM95 series - in other words, a very affordable price for an MC-PU. The stylus is bonded elliptical.
Excerpt from manufacturer's specifications:
Frequency Response:
- 20-30.000Hz
Channel separation:
- 25 dB v. 1kHz
Vertical tracking force:
- 1,8-2,2 g
Output:
- 0,32 mV v. 1 kHz
Stylus Shape:
- Eliptisk bonded
Static Compliance:
- 20 x 10-6
Dynamic Compliance:
- 9 x 10-6 (100Hz)
AT OC9XEN
The second most affordable model has a nude elliptical stylus and, like the AT-OC9XEB, has a neodymium magnet. The price will probably be 40-50% above the most affordable model
Excerpt from manufacturer's specifications:
Frequency Response:
- 20-30.000Hz
Channel separation:
- 25 dB v. 1kHz
Vertical tracking force:
- 1,8-2,2 g
Output:
- 0,35 mV v. 1 kHz
Stylus Shape:
- Eliptical Nude
Static Compliance:
- 20 x 10-6
Dynamic Compliance:
- 9 x 10-6 (100Hz)
AT OC9XML
The medium model AT-OC9XML is also the most affordable model with boron cantilever. The stylus is MicroLine. The price of this model is probably 50-60% above the model below.
Excerpt from manufacturer's specifications:
Frequency Response:
- 20-47.000Hz
Channel separation:
- 27 dB v. 1kHz
Vertical tracking force:
- 1,8-2,2 g
Output:
- 0,4 mV v. 1 kHz
Stylus Shape:
- Microlinear
Static Compliance:
- 20 x 10-6
Dynamic Compliance:
- 16 x 10-6 (100Hz)
AT OC9XSH
The second most expensive model has, as its name suggests, a Shibata stylus, a highly sought after shape, but also a stylus which normally requires precise mounting, not least in height. Expect a price that is approx. 20% over ML stylus.
Excerpt from manufacturer's specifications:
Frequency Response:
- 20-47.000Hz
Channel separation:
- 27 dB v. 1kHz
Vertical tracking force:
- 1,8-2,2 g
Output:
- 0,4 mV v. 1 kHz
Stylus Shape:
- Shibata
Static Compliance:
- 20 x 10-6
Dynamic Compliance:
- 16 x 10-6 (100Hz)
AT OC9XSL
The flagship of this series features a stylust with Special Line Contact. The price will probably be just above ten percent above the SH construction, and 3-4 times higher than the most affordable model in this series.
Excerpt from manufacturer's specifications:
Frequency Response:
- 20-50.000Hz
Channel separation:
- 28 dB v. 1kHz
Stylus Shape:
- 1,8-2,2 g
Output:
- 0,4 mV v. 1 kHz
Nåleslipning:
- Special Line contact
Static Compliance:
- 22 x 10-6
Dynamic Compliance:
- 18 x 10-6 (100Hz)