HISTORY:
For many years I ran an audio post production business which then morphed into a sub-section dealing with archival work with source material being from a multitude of old media types, processing and moving the audio across to more stable media whilst trying to remain in the analog domain as much as possible (1/4" Studer A820 to remain analog or over to CD-R for analog-digital transfer) Why the fabulous A820 1/4"? (I hear you ask) - its all about the tape speed (30 ips capable), setting the machine up to match the tape characteristics and superior electronics - these abilities all worked wonders in the analog domain.
Anyway, one of the media formats we dealt were those circular discs - records, everything from cardboard, shellac, acetate (now there's a fun thing to play with!) and the various vinyl composite materials that have been released over the years. Not even the recording speeds were standardised way way back in the early days and worse still, RIAA equalisation was not really standardised either.
To deal with all these variables when dealing with records, we used many different types of styli, even steel needles! along with a range of tonearms, turntables (including 16" transcriptions) and a very wide range of cartridges from many different manufacturers, although Shure would have to have been our mainstay, usually.
Often we would have "source material" and need to find which tone-arm/cartridge. styli sounded best in that particular situation ... this Audio Technica AT-6 was used on just one client order and then no more, it had done it's job well and we had no further need for it and it was put away in the storeroom. It isn't that we didn't like the sound, it just had no further use that the other cartridges couldn't perform equally as well.
After an eternity sitting in the "stores" and being forgotten about completely, this AT-6 was discovered in one of my many boxes recently and it now needs a new "arm" to hang off and produce beautiful music for someone!
So let's get down to the nuts & bolts ...
AUDIO TECHNICA - Turntable Cartridge With Styli
Made in Japan
Model: AT-6
Serial # 52421
Stereo (seems obvious but someone may wonder)
Fitted with AT6-7D 0.7 mil conical styli
Basic technical specifications for the AT-6
Technology: Moving Magnet
1/2" mount (pretty much an industry standard)
Frequency response: +/-2.5dB 20 to 20,000Hz
Channel balance: +/- 1dB between channels
DC coil resistance: 480 Ohm
Load impedance: 50K ~ 100K
MAXIMUM styli pressure 5 grams (usually a lot less than this)
A wealth of other technical information is available, including the design philosophy, in the User Manual - if you would like this, just ask OR you can get a download copy from various sites online.
In general terms (trying to be objective!) when used with modern vinyls and a decent tonearm/turntable, this cartridge/styli is an outstanding stereophonic cartridge that, together with its companion products, features a series of unique concepts in the designing of it's moving elements. It is a "fatty" in the world of cartridges and some may feel that the sound is "thick" but for our purposes the high's and resolution were great with loads of low end too.
A "fatty?" - this cartridge measures 31mm front - back x 12.7mm across (between the two mounting bolts) x 17.5mm high
The cartridge weighs in at 9.5 gram
This is no slim lady running across your vinyl!
For the vinyl enthusiast, the whole subject of turntables, tone-arms, cartridges, alignment etc can get pretty subjective - best bet is to do some Google hunting and then take the comments you find with a grain of salt and decide for yourself! The trouble with online forums is that they are full of "shonky experts" with some of their comments giving their true expertise away (none). Same thing in the world of electronics (my background), where many people on the various forums make ridiculous claims and it is obvious they don't know the difference between a resistor and a cap.
So, read read and read some more but evaluate the information and then make an informed decision about the suitability of this cartridge for your needs.
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED (Barely - I think we had this on the arm for a couple of hours (it was a long time ago so the details are a bit foggy) and then it was carefully stored away.
CLEAN
Absolutely no damage to the cartridge body nor the stylus assembly
Protective styli cover is fitted
Original styli cleaning brush is included
4x Aluminium mounting bolts included (in a small sealed packet and separate from the bolts used to hold the cartridge within the clear perspex case)
Close examination (using the microscope) of the stylus tip shows no wear at all - sharp as!
It goes without saying, of course it "works" - both channels are fine.
As this cartridge/styli are about to "leave the building", I have packed the outer box into sealed clear plastic to ensure the condition is maintained while it awaits a new owner
