Audio-Technica - AT33xMLB - Dual Moving Coil Phono Cartridge

Refined detail from a venerable series. The Audio-Technica AT33xMLB is a dual moving coil stereo cartridge pairing a nude Microlinear stylus with a solid tapered boron cantilever, two independent PCOCC coils positioned at the cantilever's fulcrum, a neodymium magnet with permendur yoke, and a three-material composite body with a die-cast zinc base to disperse resonance. Made in Japan.

Microlinear Stylus on a Boron Cantilever

The AT33xMLB brings together a nude Microlinear diamond stylus and a nude, solid boron cantilever. The cantilever tapers toward the stylus tip for improved response, and it is paired with a firm suspension mechanism that slightly lowers the dynamic compliance. The Microlinear profile is designed to trace the groove with precision and retrieve fine detail across the audio spectrum.

Dual Moving Coil — Two Independent PCOCC Coils

Like every cartridge in the AT33x Series, the AT33xMLB has a dual moving coil design. Two independent coils, one for each channel, are made from PCOCC (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting) and sit at the cantilever's fulcrum. That position helps ensure pure signal transmission for each channel, and the independent coils give outstanding channel separation. A neodymium magnet and permendur yoke create a strong magnetic field, maximising generating efficiency for responsive, high-resolution playback.

A Composite Body That Disperses Resonance

The body of every AT33x cartridge is made from three different materials, arranged to reduce and disperse resonance across the whole structure so that no frequency predominates during playback:

• Die-cast zinc
• Aluminium
• High-rigidity polymer

Highly rigid, dense die-cast zinc at the base suppresses unwanted vibration and improves the expressiveness of the mid-to-low frequency range, giving a balanced, natural presentation that doesn't favour particular frequencies.

A Suspension That Suits Many Tonearms

A newly developed suspension mechanism and rubber damper design give the AT33x Series a lower dynamic compliance than other Audio-Technica cartridges, which lets the cartridge be used with a variety of tonearms.

Easy to Mount

Threaded mounting holes (M2.6) mean you only need two screws to mount the cartridge, which is especially helpful with an integrated headshell or tonearm. A non-magnetic screwdriver, brush, washers, mounting screws in three lengths and a stylus protector are all included.

Please Note

The AT33xMLB is a low-output moving coil cartridge (0.42mV), so it needs a phono stage with an MC input, or a step-up device.

Feature Cards

💎 Nude Microlinear Stylus

A Microlinear diamond profile (2.2 × 0.12 mil) for precise groove tracing and fine detail retrieval.

⚡ Solid Tapered Boron Cantilever

Tapers toward the stylus tip for improved response, with a firm suspension mechanism that slightly lowers dynamic compliance.

🧲 Dual Moving Coil — Independent PCOCC Coils

Two independent coils at the fulcrum for pure signal transmission and outstanding channel separation. Neodymium magnet and permendur yoke.

🛡️ Three-Material Body — Made in Japan

Die-cast zinc, aluminium and high-rigidity polymer disperse resonance for a balanced, natural sound. Threaded mounting holes for easy installation.

Editorial Blockquote

"Reduces and disperses resonance across the entire body, resulting in balanced, natural sound reproduction." — Audio-Technica, on the AT33x Series composite body

At-a-Glance Bullets

• AT33x Series dual moving coil (MC) stereo cartridge
• Stylus: nude Microlinear — curvature radius 2.2 × 0.12 mil
• Cantilever: nude tapered boron
• Two independent PCOCC (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting) coils at the cantilever fulcrum
• Neodymium magnet and permendur yoke
• Composite body: die-cast zinc, aluminium and high-rigidity polymer
• Die-cast zinc base — improves mid-to-low frequency expressiveness
• Threaded mounting holes (M2.6)
• Output voltage: 0.42mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec)
• Frequency response: 20–45,000Hz
• Channel separation: 27dB (1kHz)
• Tracking force: 1.8–2.2g (2.0g standard)
• Recommended load impedance: ≥ 100Ω (when head amplifier connected)
• Weight: 10.1g
• Made in Japan

Specifications

Closing Quote

"A boron cantilever, a Microlinear stylus and a body built to stay out of the way. The Audio-Technica AT33xMLB — fine detail from a venerable moving coil series."