- The Audio-Technica AT33x Series introduces a new era of Moving Coil cartridge design – five hand-built models combining refined materials, precision engineering, and the timeless warmth of vinyl playback.
Few names in high-end analog playback command the same respect as Audio-Technica. With the new AT33x Series, the Japanese manufacturer revitalizes one of its most enduring cartridge families. More than a routine update, it represents a re-engineering from the ground up, where materials, geometry, and mechanical behavior have all been reconsidered in pursuit of cleaner signal conversion and lower distortion. Each cartridge is built by hand in Japan, following the company’s longstanding belief that precision and human touch are inseparable in true analog design.
Key Insights
- A new generation of Moving Coil cartridges, including three stereo and two mono versions
- Hybrid body combining zinc die-cast, aluminum, and high-density polymer for superior resonance control
- Revised suspension system improving tonearm compatibility and tracking precision
- Dual Moving Coil and True Mono generator concepts for optimized stereo and mono playback
- Hand-wound PCOCC copper coils and gold-plated terminals for maximum signal integrity
- Designed, assembled, and fine-tuned entirely in Japan by skilled craftsmen
- Sustainable, plastic-free packaging using fully recyclable paper materials
- Retail pricing between € 399,- and € 799,-, available from October 2025
Core Design Philosophy – Material Science Meets Musicality
The AT33x family is built around a hybrid chassis that blends zinc die-cast metal, aluminum, and high-density polymer. This tri-material structure disperses resonances naturally across the housing, avoiding colorations and stabilizing mechanical behavior under playback stress. The zinc base in particular provides mass and rigidity, resulting in more defined mid- and low-frequency performance.
Complementing this is a new suspension system with slightly reduced compliance, designed to expand compatibility across a wide range of tonearms. The result is not only a more flexible setup process but also tighter groove tracking and improved energy control.
Technical Refinement and Signal Purity
Internally, the AT33x cartridges use PCOCC copper coils, manufactured via Ohno Continuous Casting for uninterrupted crystal structure and uniform conductivity. Together with gold-plated contact pins, this ensures minimal signal loss and cleaner transient behavior.
Stereo models employ Audio-Technica’s Dual Moving Coil generator configuration, achieving outstanding channel separation and stable stereo imaging. The two dedicated mono versions feature a True Mono coil system, with lateral-only motion that virtually eliminates vertical noise components – ideal for collectors of early pressings and mono jazz recordings.
Model Line-up in Detail
| Model | Stylus / Cantilever | Key Characteristics | Target Listener | SRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT33xEN | Elliptical nude stylus / Duralumin cantilever | Balanced and natural sound with precise tracking and open midrange; delivers clarity without harshness | Versatile all-rounder for mixed genres | € 599,- |
| AT33xMLD | Microlinear stylus / Duralumin cantilever | High-resolution playback with refined micro-detail, wide imaging, and excellent transient control | Listeners seeking analytical precision and speed | € 699,- |
| AT33xMLB | Microlinear stylus / Boron cantilever | Flagship model with holographic soundstage, fast bass and silky highs; exceptional transparency and dynamics | Demanding audiophiles looking for reference-level performance | € 799,- |
| AT33xMONO/I | Elliptical stylus / Duralumin cantilever | True Mono coil system with lateral-only motion; reproduces vintage recordings with coherence and focus | Collectors of mono pressings and early jazz | € 549,- |
| AT33xMONO/II | Elliptical stylus / Duralumin cantilever | Uses Samarium-Cobalt magnet and pure iron yoke for smooth, warm and organic tonality | Enthusiasts seeking relaxed, intimate mono presentation | € 399,- |
Model Lineup in Detail
AT33xEN – Balanced and Versatile
Featuring an elliptical nude stylus and a Duralumin cantilever, the AT33xEN offers smooth tonality with precise treble control and a broad frequency response. It serves as the all-rounder in the lineup, providing balanced musicality across genres.
Price: € 599,-
| Product | Audio-Technica AT33xEN |
|---|---|
| Frequency Response | 20 – 40,000 Hz |
| Channel Separation | 27 dB (1 kHz) |
| Vertical Tracking Angle | 19° |
| Tracking Force Range (Standard) | 1.8 – 2.2 g (2.0 g) |
| Recommended Load Impedance | ≥ 100 Ohms (with preamplifier) |
AT33xMLD – Refined Microlinear Clarity
The AT33xMLD adopts a Microlinear stylus profile paired with a high-efficiency neodymium magnet and Permendur yoke, achieving impressive micro-detail retrieval and transient response. Its tonal presentation emphasizes clarity, spatial precision, and dynamic nuance.
Price: € 699,-
| Product | Audio-Technica AT33xMLD |
|---|---|
| Frequency Response | 20 – 42,000 Hz |
| Channel Separation | 27 dB (1 kHz) |
| Vertical Tracking Angle | 19° |
| Tracking Force Range (Standard) | 1.8 – 2.2 g (2.0 g) |
| Recommended Load Impedance | ≥ 100 Ohms (with preamplifier) |
AT33xMLB – Flagship Model with Maximum Definition
At the top of the range sits the AT33xMLB. Its boron cantilever and lightweight vibration system offer superior transient behavior and frequency extension. Designed for listeners seeking ultimate transparency and realism, it delivers a soundstage of remarkable precision and airiness.
Price: € 799,-
| Product | Audio-Technica AT33xMLB |
|---|---|
| Frequency Response | 20 – 45,000 Hz |
| Channel Separation | 27 dB (1 kHz) |
| Vertical Tracking Angle | 19° |
| Tracking Force Range (Standard) | 1.8 – 2.2 g (2.0 g) |
| Recommended Load Impedance | ≥ 100 Ohms (with preamplifier) |
AT33xMONO/I – For Classic Mono Recordings
Developed specifically for vintage mono records, the AT33xMONO/I provides true horizontal coil motion to eliminate unwanted vertical noise. The result is a clean, coherent, and naturally centered mono image that captures the essence of early recordings.
Price: € 549,-
| Product | Audio-Technica AT33xMONO/I |
|---|---|
| Frequency Response | 20 – 30,000 Hz |
| Vertical Tracking Angle | 20° |
| Tracking Force Range (Standard) | 2.0 – 2.4 g (2.2 g) |
| Recommended Load Impedance | ≥ 100 Ohms (with preamplifier) |
| Coil Impedance | 10 Ohms (1 kHz) |
AT33xMONO/II – Warm and Organic Monophonic Expression
The AT33xMONO/II employs a Samarium-Cobalt magnet and a pure iron yoke, delivering a smoother tonal balance and a rich, organic warmth. It is ideal for reproducing classic jazz, blues, and vocal sessions with emotional depth and texture.
Price: € 399,-
| Product | Audio-Technica AT33xMONO/II |
|---|---|
| Frequency Response | 20 – 20,000 Hz |
| Vertical Tracking Angle | 20° |
| Tracking Force Range (Standard) | 2.3 – 2.7 g (2.5 g) |
| Recommended Load Impedance | ≥ 100 Ohms (with preamplifier connected) |
| Coil Impedance | 10 Ohms (1 kHz) |
Sustainable Thinking in Packaging
Audio-Technica also introduces a 100% plastic-free packaging concept for the AT33x Series. Using recyclable paper-based materials, it reflects the company’s aim to align premium audio design with responsible, low-impact manufacturing practices.
Availability and Market Position
The Audio-Technica AT33x Series will reach authorized retailers from October 23, 2025. With pricing starting at € 399,- for the AT33xMONO/II and extending to € 799,- for the flagship AT33xMLB, the new lineup positions itself as a serious alternative to many boutique MC cartridges while retaining Audio-Technica’s trademark precision and reliability.
Editorial Verdict
The AT33x Series is not just an incremental update – it’s a re-imagination of how Moving Coil cartridges can combine modern mechanical design with emotional musical delivery. By blending meticulous engineering, advanced materials, and a handcrafted production ethos, Audio-Technica Ltd. has created a lineup that feels both technically progressive and unmistakably analog in spirit.
| Product | Audio-Technica AT33x-Series |
|---|---|
| Price | Audio-Technica AT33xEN € 599,- Audio-Technica AT33xMLD € 699,- Audio-Technica AT33xMLB € 799,- Audio-Technica AT33xMONO/I € 549,- Audio-Technica AT33xMONO/II € 399,- |
| Brand | Audio-Technica Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Audio-Technica Ltd. |
| Distribution | Audio-Technica Ltd. |
| More about this manufacturer at HiFi BLOG |
