Audio Technica AT150ANV 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Phono Cartridge

I purchased this outstanding phono cartridge a few years ago new, it is the finest Moving Magnet cartridge I have ever heard in my system.  I used it for a scant 2 hours before I decided to upgrade my turntable just to hear what it was truly capable of.  It just never made it back to use, partially because they stopped production and I didn't want to wear out the stylus as it was no longer available.  Then, moving coils became my choice of cartridge (another AT.)  It's still going strong and more than likely when it wears out I'll either re-tip it or purchase another MC.  Not that the AT150ANV is lacking in any way, but I see it more a a precious collectable than a utilitarian phono cartridge to use when I play records, which is not that often as the AT Moving Coil I'm using is still going strong.  Time to let someone enjoy what I've been saving for a time which may or may not come. 

Specifications are as follows:
Frequency Response 10-23,000 Hz Channel Separation 30 dB (1kHz) Vertical Tracking Force 1.2 - 1.8 grams (1.5 grams standard) Recommended Load Impedance 47 k-ohms Output 4 (mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec) Channel Balance 0.8 dB (1 kHz Stylus Shape MicroLine® Cantilever j0.4 mm sapphire pipe Mount Half-inch (From the LP Gear description:) 

The 50th Anniversary limited-edition AT150ANV moving-magnet phono cartridge combines traditional design elements and craftmanship with the latest technological refinements to deliver richly detailed and superbly accurate vinyl playback. The AT150ANV utilizes a Micro Linear stylus tip mounted on φ0.4mm sapphire cantilever pipe. Its pure titanium housing and Neo-fade damping material® are designed to absorb unwanted parasitic resonances for rock-solid clarity and and unshakable resolution. The musical result is sure to please the most discriminating audiophiles and music lovers.

● Paratoroidal generation system and a high-performance dual magnet type system VM.
- Audio-Technica's moving magnet cartridge design idelivers "practically identical to the cutter head" performance.Audio-Technica's patented Vector-Aligned Dual Magnet design positions two tiny magnets 90 degrees apart. These magnets are positioned directly in line with the two groove walls and each magnet incorporates a separate, independent coil structure. This low magnet mass and geometry allow exact translation of record groove motion into matching electrical signals, ensuring excellent channel separation, extended frequency response, and superior tracking. The power generation system adopted in the body features an extremely small magnetic loss para toroidal core without seam, resulting in higher power generation efficiency. In addition, the improved high frequency response is achieved via two laminated cores. A separate shield plate in the center of the left and right power generation systems reduces electrical crosstalk.

● Cantilever pipe φ0.4mm sapphire.
- With the sapphire cantilever, there is no high-frequency resonance of the cantilever. Excellent frequency response is maintained across the entire band.

● Pure titanium housing.
- High precision machined pure titanium housing provides a strong foundation material for the internal generation system and assists in rock-solid playback.

● Neo-fade damping material® mounted internally.
By incorporating the Neo-fade damping material® mounted internally, unwanted parasitic resonance are adbsorbed efficiently.

● High-performance Micro Linear stylus.
- Latest and most advanced design closely resembles the cutter stylus than any previous design. This shape produces better high frequency response with less wear or distortion than with earlier configurations. The contact tip does not change shape up to the brink of obliteration.

● PCOCC wire is used for the coil.
- A technologically advanced pure copper material is used in Audio-Technica's exclusive Paratoroidal Signal Generator. Together with the laminated core structure, which minimizes loss in the high frequency region, this integrated paratoriodal signal generator achieves an efficiency greater than conventional cartridges. The use of PCOCC wire (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting) perfects the performance of the advanced paratoroidal coil design. A special high-temperature extrusion die produces copper with virtually no transverse crystal barriers to impede signal transmission or color sound. The coils of the Audio-Technica AT150ANV thus transmit distortion-free sound up to its output posts. The most subtle details are reproduced with natural purity.

● Magnetic mold reduces unnecessary movement.
- The Magnetic mold, a hard synthetic resin material blended with potassium titanate for high strength and high rigidity, secures the magnet. This reduces unecessary movement and results in solid sound reproduction.