How does the AT440MLb compare to the AT440MLa? (2024)

Has anyone tried the AT440MLb replacement that Audio Technica has brought out to their well-loved AT440MLa cartridge? How does it compare for sound and tracking?

I'm wondering if I should get the AT440MLa as an upgrade to my current cartridge or buy the new AT440MLb instead (which actually appears to be slightly cheaper here in the UK than its predecessor - both seem to be widely stocked).

Thanks in advance for any help/thoughts?

Differences in specifications highlighted in bold.

AT440MLb specifications:

• Frequency Response: 20-25,000 Hz
• Channel Separation: 28 dB at 1kHz
• Channel Balance: 1.0 dB
• Tracking Force: 1.0-1.8 grams
• Vertical Tracking Angle: 20°
• Recommended Load Impedance: 47,000 ohms
• Output Voltage: 4.0 (mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec)
• Stylus Shape: Microline
• Stylus Construction: Nude square
• Coil DC Resistance: 610
• Mount: Half-inch
• Weight: 6.5g
• Replacement Stylus: ATN440Mb

...and AT440MLa specifications:

• Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz
• Channel Separation: 27 dB at 1kHz
• Channel Balance: 0.8 dB
• Tracking Force: 1.0-1.8 grams
• Vertical Tracking Angle: 20°
• Recommended Load Impedance: 47,000 ohms
• Output Voltage: 4.0 (mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec)
• Stylus Shape: Microline
• Stylus Construction: Nude square
• Mount: Half-inch
• Weight: 6.5g
• Replacement Stylus: ATN440MLa

My brother has the mla and sounds great so I ordered one from Juno and got the mlb instead . ! I presume it's a upgrade... Anyway , it sounds fantastic and tracks amazing. In fact , it's that good I've only got .5 anti skate dialed in I would say it's a little bright in the top end and looking at the spec the mla is 20,000 hz compaired to the mlb 25,000 hz . Better to have more and cut than less and boost!! I'm a sound engineer so if my mix on stage is to toppy I'll back off the highs which is so much better than
Boosting! Seems the mlb is cheaper than the mla but I recon it's because of the promotion of a new product.

The highs might tame just a little bit after some use. It seems like it did on my mLa, anyway. (Or maybe I'm just losing some top-end hearing )

Think your correct on this . My bro said it needs running in so with what your saying as well it's all good. Cheers )

Just installed my new AT440mlb yesterday. The minute I dropped the needle it was sheer bliss. Also the setup was pretty foolproof following the bilingual instructions from Japan.

Haven't fussed yet with protractors or anything. But that IGD? Goonnnnne, gone!! And it's pretty silent on some of my worst albums. Big plus.

The MLB is still cheaper than the MLA in the UK

I am looking for a cheap MM to fit in a Rega RB300 arm

The MLB replacement sounds pretty damn good, Opeth. It's a Microline cut, beautiful to behold under my strong loupe. I've read other threads concerning JICO, Shibata and Microline cuts and basically they're the same thing under a different name. I'll let you in on a little secret: I just purchased an AT440mlb replacement stylus for $89 at B&H Photo online...free shipping.

Lol! Anything to help out a fellow audio enthusiast. Btw, their service is top of the line and it ships super fast (standard shipping) in a big carton with lots of bubble wrap.

May I ask you?? How long did your stylus last?? I am thinking it maybe time to replace but I may have to go for the (b) cartridge.

Yes that's a great deal.
Well, it looks like I may have to get it in a couple of weeks. I have had mine almost two years and definitely over the 800 hour mark.

You'll find that the brightness will settle as it wears in. Don't know how many hours yours has done, but brightness will start to settle a bit at 30-40 hours and the cartridge will wear in by about 90-100 hours.

Check out the AT 150mlx before deciding on the Black.

I'm trying to decide between the A and B myself. LPGear.com still sells both, they describe the B as bright, and A as balanced with a nice bass. Leaning towards A, although it's a bit more money.

Just bought a spare today as dealer advised the AT440 is no more & new replacement due in 2017

I've seen reports that some don't make it much past 800, I do not know the usage scenarios though. 99% of my vinyl playback is spotless and VG++ at worse. I would hope I could get more like 1500 hours but that doesn't seem rational either

1500 Hrs or more from my last one but do use a RCM

Even though the advice was not for me - I checked it out, too, along with the 150sA. Seems these two best the 2M Black incrementally, but at roughly half the price! I'm tempted now - I have a cartridge in mind to go with the Pioneer PLX-1000, which is likely to be my next buy. I might even skip the 440 altogether and go straight for the 150sA.