Phono Cartridge Comparison - Linn K9 vs Audio Technica AT33PTG/II vs Audio Technica ART9 MM vs. MC

A bit of fun and an interesting experiment. Three different cartridges to compare and contrast using Money For Nothing as the reference track:

Linn K9 MM cart from the mid 1980s. Rescued from the bottom of the spares box but still in great condition and doesn't sound at all bad.

Audio Technica AT33PTG/II MC cart with approximately 15 hours use

Audio Technica ART9 MC cart with approximately 300 hours use

Is the ART9 worth nearly double the cost of the 33?

I chose to use a track everyone will be familiar with and have access to. This is from a 1985 pressing of Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits that you can find almost anywhere.

There are another two rips of You And Your Friend by Dire Straits here:

Recording digitised using the following equipment:

Turntable: Technics SL-1200G
Phono / Pre / Power Amplifier: Devialet Expert Pro 440

Direct USB connection from the audio system into a MacBook Pro.
No audio manipulation whatsoever, this is straight from the vinyl and on to the finished video.

Comments welcome!

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[Audiofreak]

I own the AT33PTG/ii and I use it as my casual listening daily cart . I have to say it is an incredibly good sounding cart for the money, I have carts that are more than 4 times the cost of it and it is not embarrassed at all next to them . I would highly recommend this to anyone wanting to get a great all around cart that is great for any genre, this is a great one to consider.

[MrVinylObsessive]

The AT33PTG sounds more lively, and I like it. The ART9 is excellent as well, maybe more refined but a bit neutral (bland?) comparing with the AT33. Considering the price difference and the sound, I prefer the AT33PTG.
The Linn is the worst performer here, both At's sound wider and more informative to my ears, but as others mentioned, the Linn sounds a bit lower in volume, so there's that too. But there's a huge price difference, I don't think the volume level will be enough to put the Linn on the same level as the others.

[ReferenceFidelityComponents]

This is the best comparison I've seen so very well done on such careful recording anc editing. One slight criticism if I may is that the k9 didn't seem level matched and was at a lower volume. For me, purely based on what I've heard here, the PTGII takes it. More air and space, greater drive and dynamics but still refied sounding. What a bargain that cart seems to be

[revilohcsap]

Firsts and foremost: GREAT VIDEO - and respect for the editing, incredibly well done. My feeling though is that the K9 is a little lower in volume, so difficult to compare against the 2 MC cartridges. I'm currently thinking about the PTG / II for my SME 309 arm. Never considered the ART9 before, this got me thinking (what I particularly notice on the "You and your friend" videos is that the ART9 picks up significantly less background noise!). Many thanks AudioPhil.

[banditoz]

I did the test listening with headphones (Sennheiser HD25 and AKG 242HD) so my top3 is:
1) Audio Technica AT33PTG / II: very good spatialization, pleasant sound spectrum and very good dynamics.
2) Audio Technica ART9: nice definition of sound, very clear almost neutral, a little less dynamic.
3) Linn K9: less dynamic, more bland sound but pleasant to listen to.
In short, the price of ART9 is not worth double the AT33PTG / II. ;)

[Victrola]

I feel the Art could use a little bit of the robustness and spice of the 33, and the 33 could use a little refinement of the Art. And I loved my K9 on my LP12 for many years even though it is bested here !

[timzigs]

I appreciate these comparisons and generally find them useful, but was surprised to hear these results. I have both the ART9 and AT33PTG/2, so compared them live on my Technics 1210GR. The PTG/2 in no way brings the level of detail heard on the ART9. Instruments are more distinct with better transients on the ART9. The overall sound experience is more complete and balanced. Although the video seemingly projects improved soundstage (liveliness) with the PTG/2, I did not detect much of a difference b/w the two. Therefore, I'm left to conclude that the differences heard here are either the result of differences in the recorded settings or the reviewer's specific setup vs. my own.

[pinglunlaw]

not fair comparison as K9 is mm but sofer sound long time more listenable.

[epg]

Just ordered a 33PTGii to replace my 740ML . Can’t wait to give it a go:) Hopefully it will be a good upgrade.

[TorrentUK]

I could hardly hear any difference between the ART9 and AT33, but on the occasions I could I found I preferred the sound of the AT33! Time to tell my wife that she's wrong and I don't have expensive taste in audio :D

[paulaj]

since this video which I love ?? have you done the one to see what the outcome would be "Now"?? because 3 yrs on would be well worth listening too with the price of inflation between the 3 you have on here??

[zoltanolah]

You should check the level of loudness before. The at 33 is louder than the other two.

[rfc]

AT-33 is a bit boomy in comparison to ART, which is more balanced, definitely. Linn is not even to be taken in account.
In any case, in order to make a better comparison, I think that the volume of the three should have been balanced in order to have almost the same perceived level.

[vinylrulesok]

This is interesting and a cool way to compare carts. To me the PTG wins. The K9 sounds very thin with almost no bottom end. The ART9 doesn’t sound as loud as the PTG so I wonder if it’s a fair comparison?

[lizichell]

The little linn one although sounds a little weaker. Is punching well above it's light £125 weight. It sounds a fantastic cart even up against those big boys.

[jonfairway]

Got to admit I prefer the AT33 ... full, lively, smooth, good seperation, and nice drive in lower region.. ART9 might be more accurate and neutral .... its all personal choice as they say ... The Linn I remember from the old days.. safe smooth ....

[tinegornik]

AT33PTG/II Has better stereo separation ? It sounds better than others.

[metastaticmince]

would be great to see comparism with AT-OC9 sits in between Art9 and AT33 and is my choice ;-)

[mgsee]

ART9 is clean and refined, however I would be very satisfied with the more immediately engaging sound of the AT33PTG/II. The K9 is a long way behind in this company.

[lizichell]

I'm surprised how Good the linn one is. It's a little champ. The MCs are much better but considering the price between them there's not much difference between the more expensive two.