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A Guide to Phono Cartridges
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ATP-2XN Cartridge

Vector-Aligned Dual Magnet design and A-T’s exclusive Paratoroidal signal generator. This unique signal-generating system is composed of a unified, laminated coil core wound with a single piece of wire. Internal mechanical and electrical connections are eliminated, minimizing magnetic losses and assuring better signal transfer. PCOCC wire.


SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Response 15-22,000 Hz
Channel Separation 23/17 (dB at 1 kHz/10 kHz)
Vertical Tracking Force 3.0-5.0 grams
Stylus Construction Bonded round shank
Recommended Load Impedance 47,000 ohms
Output 5.3 (mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec)
Channel Balance 1.5 dB
Stylus Shape 0.4 x 0.7 mil elliptical
Cantilever Alloy tube
Mount Half-inch
Replacement Stylus ATP-N2




Conditions
ATP-2XN Cartridge
Overall rating 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating breakdown 1 review
5 Stars
0
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
Reliability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Audio Quality 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Durability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Use 
5 / 5
5 / 5
1
1 Vector-Aligned Dual Magnet design and A-T's exclusive Paratoroidal signal generator. This unique signal-generating system is composed of a unified, laminated coil core wound with a single piece of wire. Internal mechanical and electrical connections are eliminated, minimizing magnetic losses and assuring better signal transfer. PCOCC wire.<br/>
Overall rating 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating breakdown 1 review
5 Stars
0
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
Reliability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Audio Quality 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Durability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Use 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Product Reviews
Overall rating 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Fantastic Moving Magnet Cartridge For The Price
PostedOctober 20, 2011
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PJDooWop
 
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from Piscataway, NJ
Environment:Professional audio
Expertise:Audiophile
How Long:Over a year
Reliability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Audio Quality 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Durability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Use 
5 / 5
5 / 5
This may be the best sounding cartridge in this price range. Yes, I have heard cartridges that sound better, but they have also been in much different price ranges. I think you'll have trouble tracking down an overall better cart without plopping down at least $50 more.
The highs are smooth and the ATP-2XN handles tough transients with surprisingly fluidity. The mids are lush but can be a bit "in your face" at times. Bass response is quite impressive and stable with this cart, and overall the trackability is excellent. As long as you have the overhang and VTA set properly, inner groove distortion is surprisingly low. It may be that the lush, milky, in your face mid range hide some of the IGD, but if that's the case than this cart plays it off really well. Chances are if you got this cartridge prepackeged with the AT-LP120 turntable, this cartridge was premounted. If that's the case the only thing you have to manually set is VTA as everything else is set to factory specs for you.
Overall, the tonal balance is quite nice, especially at this price. If you're an audiophile you'll probably find the soundstage boring and compressed, but if you haven't experienced high end moving magnet, moving iron or moving coil carts, you'll likely think that this is one of the best carts you've ever heard, if not the best.
Pros Casual Listening, Archiving, ease of use
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Vertical tracking force

I recently bought the AT-LP120USB turntable, wich comes with the ATP-2N cartridge installed. I would like to know if this cartridge can be used with a lower tracking force than the recomeded in the manual (3 to 5 grms). Or, what is the level of damaging produced to a vinyl LP when using tracking forces over 2grms. Thanks a lot.
Age: 45-54
User Type: Other
Experience: Pro
5 months, 3 weeks ago
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santiago, chile
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Answer: 
I would say you're safe down to 2.5. The cantilever is a bit stiff and if you set the VTF too low you'll have the stylus bounce around in the groove which will do far more damage than playing between the factory settings of 3-5.

The AT-LP120 turntable is a well made piece of machinery and as long as you properly set your anti skating and your VTA, you shouldn't do any damage to your vinyl at 3.0 grams.
3 months, 2 weeks ago
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Piscataway, NJ
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Answer: 
Because the AT-LP120-USB turntable is a professional turntable, it is supplied with our professional grade ATP-2XN DJ Cartridge. Professional applications require high trackability and durable cartridge cantilever assemblies. The suspension for the cantilever has been designed to be fairly stiff in order to achieve this level of durability. The application and the stiff suspension are the primary reasons for the heavy recommended tracking force of 3 to 5 grams. It should be noted that the ATP2 has been used at 2 to 2.5 grams in less demanding environments with excellent results. Audio-Technica does manufacture lighter tracking hi-fi and audiophile Cartridge models such as the popular AT120E/T, AT440MLa which track at 1.0 to 1.8 grams and the AT150MLX which tracks at .75 to 1.75 grams.
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5 months, 2 weeks ago
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Playing old 78s

I've recently inherited dozens of old 78s, produced primarily in the 30s and 40s. Will I damage the stylus on my ATP-2 cartridge by playing these records? Is there a specific cartridge/stylus combination that can be used to play old 78s, and if so, what would be the settings for balance, tracking force and anti-skate?
Age: 55-65
User Type: Other
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5 months, 1 week ago
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Answer: 
You "can" play 78s with the supplied stylus but you shouldn't. There are 78 styli available for this cart, and you owe it to yourself to hear what this cart is capable of wiith 78s. It really sounds fantastic with the right stylus.
3 months, 2 weeks ago
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Piscataway, NJ
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Answer: 
The AT-PL120 with the ATP-2 cartridge will play 78 records, although i do not recommend doing so. Keep in mind that 78s "standards" changed over the years in such things as the materials used, groove width and etc. The proper cartridge and stylus for each type or era record is greatly discussed and even hotly debated among audiophiles. Depending upon the sound quality you wish to achieve and the type or era of record you have, there may be "upgrade" cartridges and styli available. I recommend that you check with a dealer that specializes in 78 records such as www.garage-a-records.com or www.needledoctor.com for information about possible upgrades that will meet your specifications. Also, please note that LPGear.com sells a 78 stylus for the AT-LP120-USB (ATPN2W).
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5 months, 1 week ago
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Stow, OH
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ATP-2XN : Cartridge
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ATP-2XN : Cartridge

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