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Audio Technica AT-ML150/OCC - Too Old?

I just purchased an "NOS" at-ml150/occ and installed it.

When the material is easy to track, it sounds pretty decent, maybe a little lean and very "glassy" - lots upper midrange/lower treble hardness. Trumpets, Vocals, and other "difficult" things cause major sibliance at 1.25-1.75grams.

I'm using a fluid-damped tonearm that completely alleviated mistracking in two other cartridges, so I'm wondering..

Could this cartrige just be old and the rubber parts so dried out that it just isn't good any more? Or Something else? Old stylus maybe?

Interested in your opinions. I will post a needle drop if that helps.
joelv

Showing 2 responses by joelv

joelv's avatar
joelv OP
102 posts
 
I'm using the technics 1200 arm with the KAB fluid damper (and cardas rewire).

The cartridge has about 2 hours of use so far. It has been suggested that I haven't let it break-in yet, but should it sound this bad to start with?

The VTA looks pretty spot on, as far as the arm being parallel with the platter, but I'll play with that.
joelv's avatar
joelv OP
102 posts
 
Yeah, well NOS is in quotes above because neither the seller nor myself are the original owners. I just wondered if it had been used.

I will patiently play some records and see what happens after 20-30 hours.
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