[usp1]

Quite right.  The ATN155LC will sound fabulous on your 440.  I had a 152MLP on my 440 and it sounds like a $1K cart.  That stylus will fit any modern 120/440/100 etc body.  The compliance might be a little high for your arm so keep the counterweight as close to the pivots as possible.  Add a little extra weight back there if necessary, that actually reduces eff mass.  You should be fine, just be careful beryllium is the most brittle cantilever. 
http://stereoneedles.com/audio-technica.html

BTW, the AT-100E has identical generator as the 150MLX.  That stylus will fit either.  100E is $80 at LpGear. 
neo

neobop - Thanks for the link to the AT155LC. I only have the one medium weight for the tonearm so I may be limited in how close to the pivot I can move it.   Would any of the other styli there be a better fit? Also, how would a Clearaudio virtuoso work with the s-arm on my DP62-L?

[neobop]

neobop - Thanks for the link to the AT155LC. I only have the one medium weight for the tonearm so I may be limited in how close to the pivot I can move it.   Would any of the other styli there be a better fit? Also, how would a Clearaudio virtuoso work with the s-arm on my DP62-L?

I think you have arm damping on your table?  That will help, and if you have a stable support for the table (no acoustic or mechanical feedback) you'll probably be fine.  If you can add a little weight to the back of the counterweight or on the stub that holds the counterweight, that would do it.  If the weight is nonconcentric, it would normally go on the underside to make an underslung weight that moves the center of gravity closer to the plane of the record.  Some people use these styli on much heavier arms, with great results.  Also, any weight reduction of the headshell is subtracted from the eff mass of the arm in almost a direct relationship.  The problem is in finding a light one that sounds as good. 

The 152LP has the same cu as your 440, but I've never used one and I'm pretty sure, but not positive if it's beryllium.  Maybe you could get in touch with Stereoneedles and ask.
The ATN150MLX will work and has the same cu as the 440.  Price is now around $225.

The Clearaudio MM will work just fine, 15cu is good for med mass arms.  They will take the AT95 aftermarket styli.  The price of used ones with broken cantilevers is up because it's now well known that these 95 styli are a direct replacement.  As you can see, the big expense is in a great stylus.  I want to send my Virtuoso to Soundsmith, but quite honestly it sounds really good with an aftermarket stylus.
neo

[raysracing]

usp1 I am so satisfied with my ATT155LC/Signet. Odd thing is when I fire up a record and am causally walking around my listening cave it sounds "good". It is not spectacular or flashy. When I sit down the clarity, realism, imaging and maybe that thing people call air really comes through.

Now what to do with my Technics table?  I think I will install my Ortofon Red (The cart that got me back into analog) for now and maybe make it my "crappy record " table to get more life out of my AT155.  I can always buy a Blue or Bronze stylus for it too.

[neobop]

usp1 I am so satisfied with my ATT155LC/Signet. Odd thing is when I fire up a record and am causally walking around my listening cave it sounds "good". It is not spectacular or flashy. When I sit down the clarity, realism, imaging and maybe that thing people call air really comes through.

Now what to do with my Technics table?  I think I will install my Ortofon Red (The cart that got me back into analog) for now and maybe make it my "crappy record " table to get more life out of my AT155.  I can always buy a Blue or Bronze stylus for it too.

Ortofon stylus is rather pricey, a bronze is close to $300 and a black is $500, but that's not the reason I'm going to suggest this.  I think you might already own your best alternative for the Technics.  That would be your Babele cart.  Like a Virtuoso or a Maestro, the Babele is custom made for Goldenote by AT. I looked up the published specs, and with an impedance of 470 ohms an an output of 3.0mV it's more like a Maestro than an AT95, much more.  It normally takes at least 30 to 50 hrs to break in a new AT, and that impedance indicates the Babele is made with PCC wire which seems to take longer. It should be a near perfect match for the Technics arm.

I was going to offer to buy it from you because I'm virtually positive it has great potential, but you should really check it out more thoroughly.  You could also upgrade the stylus with an AT95 aftermarket one (see AT-95/CA thread), or send it to Soundsmith for a really high end alternative. You should give it another chance - put some hrs on it before you decide.
neo

[raysracing]

I sold my other Signet to another AC'er so I cannot build the Babele copy right now.  I'll start reading the other thread as well.

If I read your comment correctly it gives me the impression I mistated my opinion of the AT/Signet combo. IT is amazing, not merely good. It only sounds less flashy as I believe it is so quiet, the music is so pure and the imaging even in my tough room and speakers is great. I am 100% satisfied with it and do not need more. I do need other things though.  Ok, want, dont need.

[neobop]

I sold my other Signet to another AC'er so I cannot build the Babele copy right now.  I'll start reading the other thread as well.

If I read your comment correctly it gives me the impression I mistated my opinion of the AT/Signet combo. IT is amazing, not merely good. It only sounds less flashy as I believe it is so quiet, the music is so pure and the imaging even in my tough room and speakers is great. I am 100% satisfied with it and do not need more. I do need other things though.  Ok, want, dont need.

No, this has nothing to do with the Signet except possibly the potential for excellence.  The Babele, like the Clearaudio is really for a heavier arm, more like your Technics rather than the 62L straight arm.  Can't say I've ever heard it, but based on the specs, it might be silly good with a great stylus.  The needle is described as a micro elliptical, whatever that means, but most of their other carts are also sporting a micro elliptical.  I just think you should put some hrs on the Babele and give it a chance.  This is based on the assumption that you probably only have less than 10 hrs (15 records) on the cart.  You don't have to upgrade anything to give it another shot, but you might have to read between the lines, so to speak.  Like your Signet, with the stock stylus it's a decent cart, but with the ATN155LC, it's a great cart.

If you like it, it would be easy to mod the front and attach the stylus without the plastic, like a CA.  If you don't like it, nothing lost.  I just wanted to let you know I think there is real potential there, otherwise I would have sent you a PM and offered to take it off your hands.
neo

[neobop]

Oops, I now realize I've talking about the Babeli on the wrong thread.   

It's Rocket who has the Babeli.  Sorry about the confusion.
neo

[raysracing]

Oops, I now realize I've talking about the Babeli on the wrong thread.   

It's Rocket who has the Babeli.  Sorry about the confusion.
neo

I was so confused neo. Ha

[raysracing]

I have to say my Signet tk3ea body and AT 155LC stylus combo has been stellar and getting better. But tonight I received the TBI Millenia amplifier on tour and played CD's, lossless files and finally my Denon DP-62L through the "cheap" Cambridge 651P phono stage and I am SOOO impressed with my analog set-up I am honestly amazed records can sound any better. YOu can tell I have never heard a $$$$$ system at least not since high end stereo stores existed.

My point being that my turntable must be good and my pre and cartridge too. A fine amplifier I would think would show shortcomings more than make stars of doggy equipment. I suppose I still want to try a Vista Pre, but less so now. I think my money at this point is best spent  on this TBI amplifier. Thanks again guys for steering my this far.

[JackD]

I am enjoying the DP-62L I picked up last month currently running a Denon DL-110 through a Vista loaded at 10Kohm. Glad you are happy with your vinyl setup.

[raysracing]

I am enjoying the DP-62L I picked up last month currently running a Denon DL-110 through a Vista loaded at 10Kohm. Glad you are happy with your vinyl setup.

JackD I would like to try a MC with one of my tables as I recall the magic of one in high school (before my friend broke it on the first day). My DL103 was a terrible match for the straight arm.

Ray

[JackD]

My DP-62L only came with the S-shaped arm, which I prefer. I have tried it so far with the DL-110, DL-301 Mk II, and the Grado 8MZ.  I would suspect that either one of the Denon's would be a close enough compliance match to work.  And while they last LP Gear has the AT OC-9 Mk. II for $299. If you ever decide that the Signet is to forward you can try loading it down a bit to the mid 30's.