Audio Technica AT20SLA Phono Cartridge Top Line Limited Production, Shibata Stylus, Low Hours, Ex So

Top of the line Audio Technica Limited Edition AT20SLA Phono Cartridge, Shibata Stylus, superb sound quality, tracking, performance naturalness and musicality.  These are considered by many as one of the very best MM phono cartridges that have been made. It has the incomparable vintage Audio Technica Japanese design, craftsmanship, parts quality, fit, finish, top line shibata stylus, dual magnets and proprietary cantilever. It was $250 in the when first manufactured and has a legendary following for its superb sound quality and tracking.  This cartridge has low hours, all original with matching Audio Technica 20SLA shibata stylus. It sounds superb, open, detailed, transparent, involving, extended, smooth, natural and very musical.  See the amazing specs below. The shipping cost includes safe packing, insurance, prompt shipping and tracking number. Buy with confidence, see my feedback. Good listening, SonnY :)
Audio-Technica AT20SLa LIMITED EDITION cartridge is a significant achievement in precision manufacturing. Completely hand assembled, tolerances are held to just thousandths of an inch. Audio-Technica has specialized in precision transducers, building an international reputation for accuracy and uniformity. The Dual Magnet Series of phono cartridges is the late 70's refinements of this tradition of craftsmanship and advanced design. The sound of the AT20SLa is natural and uncolored, without the high frequency harshness which results from peaky response. A major side benefit of smooth high frequency performance is decreased groove wear. A primary reason for oustanding performance of the AT20SLa Dual Magnet cartridges is their unique method of translating the motion of the stylus tip into two electrical signals. Unlike all other stereo cartridges, Audio-Technica models employ two independent permanent magnets mounted at the 45 degree angles, perpendicular to the two sides of the record groove. With its associated pole pieces and electrical coils, each magnet becomes an electrical generator reproducing only the signal from one side of the record groove, maximizing stereo separation. Each magnet in the Dual Magnet design is smaller than that of a conventional single magnet cartridge, the effective mass moved by each groove wall is significantly reduced. The magnets, which are still the heaviest part of the moving system, are mounted near the fulcrum of pivot point of the stylus essembly. As a result of these design features, the stylus is not required to move excessive mass, and is free to respond quickly and accurately to the motion of the record groove. In addition to enhancing response, the extremely low effective tip mass reduces the force applied to the delicate vinyl groove and reduces the possibility of groove wall wear and damage. The cantilever which positions the stylus tip and transmits its motion to the magnets is selected for rigidity and low mass. Tracking ability is improved significantly because the tube taper reduces the amount of mass at the stylus end of the tube.

Model AT20SLa LIMITED EDITION cartridges are individually hand-selected for all parameters, including flattest possible response to 50 000 Hz! The limited quantity of cartridges thus obtained represent "the best of the best!"

Shibata stylus originally was developed to meet the reduced wear and extended frequency response requirements of discrete 4-channel records. Its benefits, however, accure to all records. The shape of the Shibata stylus is complex, requiring the most sophisticated diamond-shaping equipment and production tolerances expressed in microns (about 4-millionths of an inch). The Shibata stylus contacts the record groove wall with a radius 4 times that of typical elliptical styli, providing a greater vertical contact with the record groove. With this "LINE CONTACT" rather than a "point contact", tracking force is spread over a greater area. Actual pressure on the record is reduced, permitting the small side radius to ride "on top" of the vinyl surface for more accurate groove tracing and less chance of damage! As a result Shibata stylus greatly extends and smooths high frequency response, reduces distortion and lengthens the life of all records - mono, stereo and four-channel. Only genuine Audio-Technica styli will provide the highest level of performance! Audio-Technica grain-oriented diamond styli are carefully selected and polished for minimum wear to themselves and to your records.

Audio-Technica AT20SLa with ATN20SL stylus Specifications

- Generating element: Dual moving magnet
- Frequency response: 5Hz-50kHz
- Output voltage @ 1kHz,5cm/sec: 2.7mV
- Channel separation @ 1kHz/10kHz: 30/25dB
- Channel balance: 0.75dB
- Stylus shape: Shibata
- Stylus construction: Nude
- Cantilever: Tapered Beryllium?
- Dynamic Compliance: 18cu @100Hz (It will be about 30cu @ 10Hz)
- Tracking force: 0.75-1.75 g
- Weight: 8g
- Price in 1979: $250 US dollars