Audio-Technica 120E
The Audio-Technica 120E is a moving-magnet phono cartridge with a double-magnet design. It sat in the budget end of the company's lineup. Its Vector-Aligned dual moving magnet construction was one of the convenience advantages Audio-Technica promoted for its moving-magnet designs.
The surviving sources agree on the specs. Frequency response is 20 - 20,000 Hz. Output is 4.0 mV at 1 kHz/5 cm/sec, and channel separation is 25 dB. Recommended tracking force is 1.0 - 2.0 grams. The stylus is a 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical. Vertical tracking angle is 20°, load impedance is 47k ohms, and load capacitance is 100 - 200 pF. Weight is listed at 6.0g, though that figure comes from a single source. One user review calls it "a good budget cartridge for rear channels and general use" and rates it 5 out of 5 for both sound quality and value. A 1980 trade publication listed the AT120E at $90.00 and classed it as Class III (High Fidelity Trade News, September 1980, p.67).
Not much else is documented about the 120E. The available material doesn't record production years, original packaging details or stylus replacement part numbers.
- Type: Moving magnet, double magnet design
- Frequency response: 20–20,000 Hz
- Output: 4.0 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec)
- Channel separation: 25 dB (1 kHz)
- Tracking force: 1.0–2.0 g
- Stylus: 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical
- Load impedance: 47k ohms
- Weight: 6.0 g
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.