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| Model: | AT-OC9XSL |
| Category: | Phono Cartridge |
| Suggested Retail Price: | $730 |
| Description: | Audio Technica Moving Coil Cartridge |
| Manufacturer URL: | Audio Technica |
| Model Picture: | View |
| Review by Johno on February 12, 2025 at 21:36:27 IP Address: 185.54.228.69 | Add Your Review for the AT-OC9XSL |
I did a review on AA for the AT-OC9XSL back in 2020, but it got lost in the archives, so I reposted. After 4 yrs my opinions from 2020 have not changed, it's a keeper.
The AI-OC9XSL was released by Audio Technica in 2019 there are 5 models in the updated OC9 range sporting different tip profiles with the SL being at the top of that range. Housed in a smart metallic black & gold enclosure it has threaded body mounting, boron cantilever & special line contact stylus.
According to AT the output is 0.4millivolt and 12-ohm coil impedance, weight 7.6 grams with a static compliance of 22 at 100Hz. I run this cartridge through Lundahl LL1931 SUT set to 16db gain and connected to Nottingham Analog Dais TT and 12" Space Arm via 40db valve phono stage.
I've had this cartridge for 12 months it has 300 hours of use. I normally rotate carts from a Decca London with conical stylus to a Denon 103D sporting a Namiki MR boron cantilever.
Previously I used a AT-ART9 for 3 years till the suspension wire broke, so I have an appreciation for the AT house sound. The original ART9 was a magic cartridge and in the world of exotic MC's it was a hi-fi bargain.
Like the ART9 the OC9XSL requires careful alignment I used a Dr Feickert Protractor (I find this protractor gives quick and accurate alignment) I used the Baerwald alignment, set VTF to 2 grams, tonearm pivot set slightly high.
The AT-OC9XSL has good punchy bass which can go sub terrain when asked and a nice mid-range with a top end that has attitude. This is not a 'slippers by the fireplace' cartridge it will keep you awake/entertained. It does tend towards a brighter tonal balance which can sound quite spectacular, matched to a overly bright system it may sound fatiguing. Like the ART9 the wealth of detail from the OC9XSL can be unnerving but also very life like. I'm a fan of Tom Jones, Bon Scott (ACDC original vocalist) and Pavarotti all powerhouse singers. The OC9XSL sounds in many ways like my London Decca particularly on older Decca mono & stereo recordings. Listening to the Decca recording of Tom Jones live at the 'Talk of the Town' in 1967 really highlights what this cartridge can do when challenged.
This is a cartridge that rocks and flies pretty close to the ART9 except the depth of field and projection of the central image (singer) isn't in the same league. That's probably being bit unfair, but it also explains why the ART-9 is held in such high regard.
You have to love AT although they have a familiar 'house sound' the further up the money tree you go the better they replicate what's in the groove.
The dynamics of the OC9XSL is explosive it really kicks into gear on high energy music. My DL-103D that uses a boron micro ridge tip sounds romantic by comparison. The OC9XSL has a lot more in common with a Decca London than a Denon 103 cartridge.
There is nothing old fashioned about the OC9XSL it provides dynamics in spades and sounds great as long as you have a neutral to warmish system. I find AT cartridges marry up well with valve based old school paper cone speakers like my own, so I'm a AT fan boy - highly recommended!
| Product Weakness: | None but careful matching because in an overtly bright system it could be fatiguing |
| Product Strengths: | Fast, punchy, dynamic |
| Amplifier: | DIY Single Ended EML520B - 10W |
| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | DIY 4P1L Single Ended 6db gain |
| Sources (CDP/Turntable): | NA Dais & NA Anna Space 12%22 arm |
| Speakers: | DIY 300L - Tannoy HPD385 DC's |
| Cables/Interconnects: | Homebrew Kimber |
| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | All styles |
| Room Size (LxWxH): | 8 x 3 x 7 |
| Room Comments/Treatments: | Mudbrick construction, skillion roof |
| Time Period/Length of Audition: | 3 yrs |
| Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
| Your System (if other than home audition): | Home system |
with its difficult to see, TINY diamond as being nice and bouyant which may translate to the "punchy" that you describe. i still have a NOS OC9 II which I guess I must mount sooner or later.
ii will begetting a Lounge Audio Coupla setup pre/preamp soon which may be the trigger.
...regards...tr
Hi Tommy,
AT MC's are painful when it comes to correct alignment & setup, no surprise.
The boron cantilever and tip on the latest OC9 has a small amount of transparency regarding visibility that I just don't see with Namiki boron-MR tips used by retippers which are visually a blackhole & stupidly challenging to use in anything but very very good light conditions. That SS Ruby cantilever they offer is worth its weight in gold for visibility.
Thank you for re-posting. I remember reading your review when first submitted. I, too, love the Audio-Technica house sound, from the AT95 series to the ART- cartridges. Their price-to-performance ratio is unsurpassed in my experience, which probably keeps me from purchasing the ART1000 series. I have no experience with cartridges priced in that rarified range. The OC9 series gives its users exactly as you described: "provides dynamics in spades and sounds great as long as you have a neutral to warmish system," which describes the majority of vinyl enthusiasts. Pictured is my bedroom turntable using the OC9XSL's brother, which features a Shibata tip :)
The OC9 range are the sweet point in the AT product range, everything doubles plus in $ with ART series ie next model up AT-ART9XI, just great cartridges.
Nt.
Mark in NC
"The thought that life could be better is woven indelibly into our hearts and our brains" -Paul Simon
I have had that remarkable cartridge. Although used, it reproduced every record impeccably, from classical to rock. I wore the stylus for the rest of its life!
Edits: 02/19/25
Nt.
Mark in NC
"The thought that life could be better is woven indelibly into our hearts and our brains" -Paul Simon
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