Opinions on AT 312 EP T4P LOMC Cartridge

[hieper]

Yesterday I took delivery of a 'new', very clean Technics SL-10

I had no idea which kind of cartridge would be mounted, except that it wasn't the Technics 310MC. Therefore, I had been Googling for a decent, new, T4P cartridge. Now I have the the turntable here, it turns out that the mounted cartridge is an Audio Technica AT 312 EP:





This seems to be an interesting cartridge indeed. It is a Moving Coil design (like the 310), so the SL-10's built-in step up transformer is engaged. At the same time it does have a removable stylus, which makes it quite unique. It seems that original replacement needles are still available for the AT 312 at a reasonable price, so I think I will be picking one of those up soon.

I haven't been able to find a lot of info on this cartridge (however it is in the database) so it would be nice if anyone could comment on the sound or history of it. Also, I would be interested how it compares to other decent T4Ps, like the EPC 310, or Ortofon X1 MCP.

The SL-10 needs some small maintenance before I can really audition this cartridge, so it would be nice to hear your take on it in the mean time...

[fscl]

Yesterday I took delivery of a 'new', very clean Technics SL-10

I had no idea which kind of cartridge would be mounted, except that it wasn't the Technics 310MC. Therefore, I had been Googling for a decent, new, T4P cartridge. Now I have the the turntable here, it turns out that the mounted cartridge is an Audio Technica AT 312 EP:

Snippage...

... interested how it compares to other decent T4Ps, like the EPC 310, or Ortofon X1 MCP.

The SL-10 needs some small maintenance before I can really audition this cartridge, so it would be nice to hear your take on it in the mean time...

Welcome to VE......

Check out this thread:

http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=28445

The AT-312 LOMC is in the "Cartridge Database" here:

http://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge_da ... 0&rows=338

There are other members with 310MCs who can chime in here.....

Good luck.

Fred and deciding what cantilever / needle to graft onto my snapped off 310....

[hieper]

Thanks! As you noticed I've been lurking on VE for a while, I thought it was about time to contribute add some pictures

Once the SL-10 is running properly I'll no doubt have a lot of fun with it. Even though the cartridge selection in T4P is somewhat limited, there should be enough options for occasional cart swapping.

I intend to get at least the AT 92 ECD as a stand in / fall back cartridge. The AT 312 seems to perform reasonably well. I don't have a real MC stage to compare with the internal transformer. The common opinion is that the built-in unit can be improved upon.

My reference / other system is an SL 1401 equipped with AT-110e cartridge, which I like very much. Both tables are connected to a Sony Scala S2 (MOSFET) amp, which sounds very nice. I guess that officially makes me a fan of Japanese audio.

Any other info on the AT 312 will be most welcome, since there isn't much I can find on it elsewhere.

[sreten]

Hi,

Its anything like an AT31E - another removable stylus (and the genarator
as well, the body is really just a plugin carrier) medium output AT MC it
should be very good, the AT31E was very well rated at the time.

rgds, sreten.

[hieper]

Its anything like an AT31E - another removable stylus (and the genarator as well, the body is really just a plugin carrier) medium output AT MC it should be very good.

That's an interesting comparison. It seems likely both cartridges share some design ideas. The stylus for the p-mount is less than half the price of that for the 31E (luckily!) so it probably wont be quite as stellar, but I have high hopes.

The fact that the previous owners of the SL-10 bought a quality replacement cartridge is a good sign. Now I just need to order a new tonearm belt before the fun can really begin...

[sreten]

The common opinion is that the built-in unit can be improved upon.

Hi,

Easy to say, difficult to prove, and its depends on cartridge quality.
Personally I'd trust Technics, whatever it is will not be poor.

The AT 92ECD will make a good reference point.

rgds, sreten.

[Whitneyville]

The AT-31 was the "flagship" cartridge when I bought my AT-14 Sa. Since the AT-14 is still well respected for us 4 channel nuts, I'd say your AT-31 is a gem. BTW: I think http://www.LPGear.com has genuine OEM stylii left for the '31. They also have a Graham Slee MC pre-amp for about $400 you might consider if you feel the Technics transformer is a limitation. They also have a transformer for around $250. They have let me "audition" items (pre-amp) for 15% and S&H, which I felt was more than fair. I'd love to find an AT-20SAe/SaX, but I don't trust feeBay and don't know where else to look...

[sreten]

The common opinion is that the built-in unit can be improved upon.

Hi,

Easy to say, difficult to prove, and its depends on cartridge quality.
Personally I'd trust Technics, whatever it is will not be poor.

The AT 92ECD will make a good reference point.

rgds, sreten.

Hi,

I checked out the schematic in the service manual. I can see why
some would say it can be improved upon due to its technology.

But its a simple single ended 4(5) transistor design, the input
transistors are doubled up in parallel for lower noise. The
rest is straight forward analogue circuity, AC coupled, which
is all it needs to be to drive a 47k / 100pF to 400pF MM input.

There in a lot of nonsense talled about MM stages and now
RIAA stages since they also went external. The above
would be fine driving the typical MM input of an amplifier
or pre-amplifier.

rgds, sreten.

[flavio81]

Yesterday I took delivery of a 'new', very clean Technics SL-10

I had no idea which kind of cartridge would be mounted, except that it wasn't the Technics 310MC. Therefore, I had been Googling for a decent, new, T4P cartridge. Now I have the the turntable here, it turns out that the mounted cartridge is an Audio Technica AT 312 EP:





This seems to be an interesting cartridge indeed. It is a Moving Coil design (like the 310), so the SL-10's built-in step up transformer is engaged. At the same time it does have a removable stylus, which makes it quite unique. It seems that original replacement needles are still available for the AT 312 at a reasonable price, so I think I will be picking one of those up soon.

I haven't been able to find a lot of info on this cartridge (however it is in the database) so it would be nice if anyone could comment on the sound or history of it. Also, I would be interested how it compares to other decent T4Ps, like the EPC 310, or Ortofon X1 MCP.

The SL-10 needs some small maintenance before I can really audition this cartridge, so it would be nice to hear your take on it in the mean time...

I don't think it's fair to put the EPC-301MC, with its sophisticated ultra-low mass assembly, on the same level than the X1-MCP which has far more moving mass.

[smeg68]

I have one of these which used to do duty on my SL-D5. It was never that happy there though, often sounding thin though very detailed and I eventually went back to my SL-1210 as I had a wide range of carts to try on that. Recently I have mounted a low mass SME III arm on the Technics though and as the AT is a high compliance design I am thinking about giving it another go on an arm which should suit it well.

[hieper]

Also, I would be interested how it compares to other decent T4Ps, like the EPC 310, or Ortofon X1 MCP.

I don't think it's fair to put the EPC-301MC, with its sophisticated ultra-low mass assembly, on the same level than the X1-MCP which has far more moving mass.

I don't understand how 'fair' relates to vinyl or cartridges

If you read closely, I only put them in the same group: 'decent', and I think I'm on solid ground with that categorization! I did not say they were equal, or which one was 'best' (although I did mention the Technics first in that sentence...).

BTW: you can edit the quoted part of you message to only contain the part you comment on

[flavio81]

BTW: you can edit the quoted part of you message to only contain the part you comment on

Sorry Hieper. And yes, you are right. Welcome to the forum! Angenaam!

[hieper]

Thanks for all your input so far.

I have a new belt for the SL-10 and a new needle for the AT 312 on order. When they arrive and the Technics survives its 'operation' I'll report back...