What is the Audio-Technica AT-LT10?
Plain answer: it is a headshell. The Audio-Technica AT-LT10 is the little aluminium mount that sits at the end of your tonearm and holds the cartridge. It does not read the record itself. The cartridge does that, and the headshell is what holds the cartridge in exactly the right place.
People often meet the word for the first time when shopping for a turntable, so it is worth being clear: cartridge, stylus and headshell are three different things. The stylus is the tip that sits in the groove. The cartridge is the body that turns the stylus movement into an electrical signal. The headshell is the bracket that holds the cartridge on the arm.
Why does a separate headshell exist at all?
Because it detaches. On many turntables the headshell twists off the end of the tonearm with a collar, which means you can take the cartridge off the deck without dismantling anything. That makes fitting a cartridge far easier, since you can work on it at a table with good light instead of leaning over the platter.
It also means you can own more than one. Keep a second cartridge mounted on a second headshell and you can change between them in a few seconds.
Will it fit my turntable?
It fits if your tonearm has a removable headshell with the standard four pin bayonet fitting. That fitting is close to universal on Japanese decks, so most Audio-Technica turntables take it, including the AT-LP120XUSB, the AT-LPW40WN and the AT-LPW50PB.
It does not fit if your tonearm has a fixed headshell, where the cartridge bolts directly to the end of the arm. Many audiophile decks are built that way. If you are not sure which you have, send us the turntable model and we will tell you.
Will it fit my cartridge?
Almost certainly. The AT-LT10 uses the standard half inch mounting, which is the spacing between the two screw holes on the top of nearly every cartridge sold. It comes with screws in two lengths plus washers, which covers both cartridges that have threaded holes and those that need a nut.
What do I actually get?
A die-cast aluminium headshell of about 10 grams, with oxygen free copper lead wires already fitted, a finger lift for cueing, and the screws and washers to mount a cartridge. No cartridge, and no stylus.
What difference will it make to the sound?
Honest answer: on its own, not much, and that is the point. A headshell is doing its job when it is inaudible. What it must do is hold the cartridge rigidly, so the only thing moving is the stylus, and keep its own mass in a sensible range.
Where it does change what you hear is through alignment. The slotted mounting holes let you slide the cartridge forward and back to set overhang, and that adjustment genuinely affects how cleanly the last few tracks on a side play. A well aligned cartridge in a plain headshell beats a badly aligned one in an exotic headshell every time.
Do I need to be technical to use it?
No, though you do need to be patient for about twenty minutes. You screw the cartridge on loosely, connect four coloured wires to four coloured pins, set the position with an alignment protractor, tighten, then set tracking force. None of it is difficult, all of it rewards care, and we will do it with you if you would rather not.
Who is it for?
Three people. Someone whose original headshell is damaged or lost. Someone fitting a cartridge they bought on its own. And someone who wants a second cartridge ready to go, which is the reason most long term vinyl listeners end up owning a spare.
If you would rather not deal with any of it, a premounted cartridge and headshell arrives assembled and aligned, such as the AT-VM750xSH/H or the Ortofon 2M Bronze on an SH-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AT-LT10 a cartridge or a headshell?
A headshell. It is the mount that holds a cartridge on the tonearm, and it does not read the record itself.
Does it come with a cartridge?
No. You supply the cartridge. The box holds the headshell, mounting screws in two lengths and two plastic washers.
Will it fit my turntable?
It fits any tonearm with a removable headshell on the standard four pin bayonet fitting, which covers most Audio-Technica decks. It does not fit arms with a fixed headshell.
Will it fit my cartridge?
If your cartridge uses the standard half inch mounting, which nearly all do, then yes. Screws for threaded and unthreaded cartridges are both supplied.
Do I need special tools?
A small screwdriver and an alignment protractor. Many turntables include a protractor, and we can lend you one or do the alignment for you.
Will it make my records sound better?
Not by itself. It makes a difference through holding the cartridge rigidly and letting you align it correctly, and correct alignment is audible on inner grooves.
Why would I buy a second one?
To keep a second cartridge mounted and aligned so you can swap in seconds, for example a mono cartridge for older pressings.
How heavy is it?
About 10 grams without the lead wires, which is a normal weight that suits most moving magnet cartridges.
Can you fit it for me?
Yes. Bring the headshell, the cartridge and ideally the turntable to our Timonium showroom and we will mount and align it.
Come Have a Listen
Headshells are easier to judge with the deck in front of you. Bring your cartridge to our Timonium showroom and we will fit it, set overhang and azimuth, and let you hear the result on a system you can compare against. Our team sets these up every week and is glad to walk you through it.