Audio-Technica AT3600L vs Audio-Technica AT95E

Honestly rather than investing in getting that cartridge to work I would recommend getting a better one. The Ortofon OM5E (or if you're really strapped the Omega 1e) or even the Audio Technica AT3600L would be better than the groove tool.

Could be wrong here, but the cartridge (the thing at the end of the tonearm where the needle goes on) looks like the venerable Audio Technica AT95E-commonly included on turntables that cost upwards of $500. Great sounding cartridge, and it’s the cartridge and stylus that actually determine how good a turntable sounds.

The ATN3600L gave me a boost in the low end with richer bass coming out of my Polk loudspeakers. The expanded range allowed me to even make some adjustments to my EQ settings to compensate for the improved frequency response. This is a major improvement over the Sony factory stylus.

Sadly, it sounds awful compared to the AT85EP. It's very quiet, sounds tinny, and just doesn't offer the dynamic range that the AT85EP does. I had friends listen to it to ensure that I wasn't crazy, and the results were unanimous. Do yourself a favor and try the AT85EP, and don't forget the AT-PMA1 1/2" mount adapter (not needed if you already have a P-Mount head shell)

I'd caution against the base model Audio Technica, even though it's probably fine, it does have a heavy tracking force and very limited in possible upgrades. I have two vintage setups, but I'll admit I'm saving up for a new model.

Apparently, this is an updated version of Audio Technica's consumer workhorse cartridge. The updated version of the AT-95 now requires slightly greater tracking force (2 grams of nominal tracking force as opposed to 1.75 grams). Compared to the older version that came with a Thorens TD-235 that I purchased 4 years ago, the current version sounds more dynamic

So let's try to lower the resistance even further and see what happens. And here we have with 100 kOhm in parallel with the existing 47 kOhm, so now w...

At95e is bright compared to AM30s, and my ears tell me that the AM30s has a wider frequency response. Play the same record with both with my eyes blind, I'll tell you which cart is which. Which one I like? I like them both, but I'd rather listen to classics with the Signet. Rock tends to like the AT