Audio-Technica - AT-VM520xEB Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge

An easy first upgrade from conical — the VMx series elliptical that opens up an expansive, detail-rich soundstage.

The AT-VM520xEB is part of Audio-Technica’s redesigned VMx series, built on the Vertical Dual Magnet design in which two magnets are arranged in a V that closely mirrors the cutter head used to cut the vinyl master. The x-series generator uses paratoroidal coils wound with PCUHD (Pure Copper Ultra High Drawability) copper wire and reduced coil turns for improved transient response, while a center shield plate between the channels cuts crosstalk — Audio-Technica describes the result as an expansive soundstage that’s alive with musical detail.

Its 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical bonded stylus contacts more of the groove wall than a conical tip, retrieving finer detail from your records, and rides on an aluminum pipe cantilever inside a durable, low-resonance polymer housing. Threaded inserts allow simple two-screw mounting on any half-inch headshell, the V-cut stylus protector serves as an alignment reference, and the body is compatible with most AT-VMx replacement styli for future upgrades. Made in Japan.

Features

• 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical bonded stylus retrieves more groove detail than conical designs
• Vertical Dual Magnet design mirrors the cutter head used to make the vinyl master
• Paratoroidal generator with PCUHD copper coils and reduced coil turns for improved transient response
• Center shield plate between channels reduces crosstalk
• Aluminum pipe cantilever and low-resonance polymer housing
• Threaded inserts for easy two-screw mounting on half-inch headshells
• V-cut stylus protector provides a visual alignment reference
• Compatible with most AT-VMx Series replacement styli; made in Japan

Specifications

• Type: VM dual moving magnet stereo cartridge
• Stylus: 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical, bonded
• Cantilever: Aluminum pipe
• Coil Wire: PCUHD (Pure Copper Ultra High Drawability)
• Body: Durable low-resonance polymer
• Output Voltage: 5.0 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec)
• Frequency Response: 20–20,000 Hz
• Channel Separation: 24 dB (1 kHz)
• Channel Balance: 1.5 dB (1 kHz)
• Tracking Force: 1.8–2.2 g (2.0 g standard)
• Recommended Load: 47k ohms / 150–250 pF
• Coil Impedance: 3.2 k ohms (1 kHz)
• Coil Inductance: 480 mH (1 kHz)
• DC Resistance: 750 ohms
• Static Compliance: 23 x 10^-6 cm/dyne
• Dynamic Compliance: 7 x 10^-6 cm/dyne (100 Hz)
• Vertical Tracking Angle: 20 degrees
• Mount: Half-inch, threaded inserts
• Weight: 7.2 g
• Replacement Stylus: AT-VMN20xEB
• Included: M2.6 mounting screws (10.0 mm x 2, 8.0 mm x 2, 5.0 mm x 2) and two washers