Audio Technica AT33SA

The AT33sa cartridge is the first Audio-Technica moving coil model equipped with a Shibata stylus. In addition to improved high-frequency performance, thanks to an ideal contact surface, the Shibata stylus delivers solid, rich bass and midrange. The Shibata stylus is mounted on a boron cantilever, with a double damper that considerably improves sound quality.

Advanced tapered boron cantilever design, reduced mass

The AT33sa cartridge uses a tapered boron cantilever. This tapered shape and the revised number of coil turns reduces mass, giving the cartridge better high-frequency performance and more balanced reproduction.

Neodymium magnet, increased magnetic energy and permendur structure

This model uses a neodymium magnet with a maximum energy product (BHmax) of 50 [kJ/m3]; its structure is made of permendur, a material with a high saturation flux density and exceptional magnetic properties, further improving the concentration of the magnetic field on the coils.

PCOCC moving coils

The PCOCC wire coils ensure transmission of a purer audio signal, as the latter is not subjected to the effects of granularity in the direction of electron emission. PCOCC = Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting process (high purity, oxygen-free monocrystalline copper)

Dual moving coil, high channel separation, extended frequency response

The basic structure is that of a typical moving coil cartridge, with separate cylindrical coils for the left and right channels. Since the output voltage is generated independently on each channel, this design ensures exceptional left/right separation. Otherwise, if the signal from one channel ends up in the other, intermodulation distortion appears, significantly degrading audio quality and stereo image width. The structure of this product ensures a clear and smooth sound. Moreover, the two coils have an inverted V arrangement, effectively reducing the effective moving mass “seen” by the stylus. This design limits superfluous coil movements, further reducing distortion.

VC mold limiting superfluous vibrations

The VC mold holding the coils in place is made of a hard synthetic resin, mixed with potassium titanate to further enhance its rigidity. This improvement results in greater lightness, further reducing superfluous vibrations.

A solid body, with a design prioritizing rigidity

The cartridge body is made of a hard aluminum alloy, precision molded. A very hard synthetic resin is used in a sandwich structure, on the top and bottom of the body, to suppress parasitic resonances. This reduces unwanted noise while improving rigidity and S/N ratio.

Stereo phono cartridge with moving coils, Shibata profile stylus

• Type: Dual moving coil
• Mounting: ½ inch standard mount

Specifications

• Frequency Response: 15 - 50,000 Hz
• Body Material: Aluminum/Synthetic Resin
• Channel Separation: 30 dB (at 1 kHz)
• Channel Balance: 0.5 dB (at 1 kHz)
• Output Voltage: 0.4 mV (at 1 kHz, 5 cm/s)
• Vertical Tracking Angle: 23°
• Vertical Tracking Force: 1.8 to 2.2g (standard 2g)
• Stylus Type: Shibata
• Stylus Curvature Radius: Shibata
• Stylus Mounting: Solid diamond, square shank
• Cantilever: Solid boron, nude rectangular
• Coil Impedance: 10Ω (at 1 kHz)
• Coil Inductance: 22 µm (at 1 kHz)
• DC Resistance: 10Ω
• Static Compliance: 40 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne
• Dynamic Compliance: 10 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne (100 Hz)
• Recommended Load Impedance: ≥ 100Ω (when connected to preamp)

General

• Dimensions (W x H x D): 16 x 16.6 x 26.5 mm
• Cartridge Weight: 6.9 g
• Included Accessories:
  • Non-magnetic screwdriver
  • Anti-static stylus brush
  • 2 washers
  • 2 nuts
  • 2 mounting screws 13.5 mm
  • 2 mounting screws 18 mm
  • 1 plastic protector
  • 1 set of PCOCC lead wires (AT6101)