Magnetic cartridges from China - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Chris R · 17th Mar 2023, 9:29 pm

The inexpensive ceramic cartridges from China are well known and accepted as giving good performance for their cost.
Has anyone tried the cheap magnetic cartridges which appear to come from the same part of the world?

Chris R

knobtwiddler · 17th Mar 2023, 9:33 pm

The AT VM95 (modern version of the AT 95E) can be found for £29 on Amazon. Is there any point in trying a Chinese MM cart, when the AT is known to offer decent audio and won't hurt your records?

ajgriff · 17th Mar 2023, 10:19 pm

I take the point about the AT-VM95 but it'd still be interesting to hear from anybody who's tried a Chinese made magnetic cartridge.

Anecdotally (internet) there are indications that some of the cheaper Audio-Technica cartridges are manufactured in China (presumably to AT standards). Not hard to imagine that there are Chinese clones on the market.

Alan

nigelr2000 · 17th Mar 2023, 11:37 pm

I have purchased quite a few AT clones from Chine about £7 each and work really well look just like the AT95 cheaper than buying a new stylus

Analogue man · 20th Mar 2023, 12:15 am

The one clone I came across on a friend's Technics clone deck sounded OKish but was very susceptible to magnetically induced hum pick up from the deck motor power supply.

17th Mar 2023, 9:29 pm	#1
Chris R Pentode Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire, Scotland, UK. Posts: 184	Magnetic cartridges from China The inexpensive ceramic cartridges from China are well known and accepted as giving good performance for their cost. Has anyone tried the cheap magnetic cartridges which appear to come from the same part of the world? Chris R Last edited by Chris R; 17th Mar 2023 at 9:31 pm. Reason: Missing "one"

17th Mar 2023, 9:33 pm	#2
knobtwiddler Octode Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: London, UK. Posts: 1,051	Re: Magnetic cartridges from China The AT VM95 (modern version of the AT 95E) can be found for £29 on Amazon. Is there any point in trying a Chinese MM cart, when the AT is known to offer decent audio and won't hurt your records?

17th Mar 2023, 10:19 pm	#3
ajgriff Nonode Join Date: May 2004 Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 2,587	Re: Magnetic cartridges from China I take the point about the AT-VM95 but it'd still be interesting to hear from anybody who's tried a Chinese made magnetic cartridge. Anecdotally (internet) there are indications that some of the cheaper Audio-Technica cartridges are manufactured in China (presumably to AT standards). Not hard to imagine that there are Chinese clones on the market. Alan

17th Mar 2023, 11:37 pm	#4
nigelr2000 Heptode Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Walsham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 900	Re: Magnetic cartridges from China I have purchased quite a few AT clones from Chine about £7 each and work really well look just like the AT95 cheaper than buying a new stylus __________________ https://www.facebook.com/gntrading

20th Mar 2023, 12:15 am	#5
Analogue man Hexode Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Raunds, Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 359	Re: Magnetic cartridges from China The one clone I came across on a friend's Technics clone deck sounded OKish but was very susceptible to magnetically induced hum pick up from the deck motor power supply. __________________ Graham