Audio-Technica - AT-ART20 Dual Moving Coil Stereo Cartridge

Audio-Technica's top magnetic-core moving coil cartridge pairs a boron cantilever and line contact stylus with a precision-machined titanium body.

The AT-ART20 is designed to reproduce sound with the full expressiveness of the original recording — extended high-frequency detail, a clear and controlled low end, and spatial imaging that conveys the original performance environment. Building on the AT-ART9XI's magnetic-core dual moving coil design, the front yoke is 0.6 mm thicker to improve magnetic flux density, delivering more than 15% higher output voltage without adding coil turns and their associated mass and impedance penalties.

A special line contact nude diamond stylus is mounted on a 0.28 mm solid boron cantilever with a rectangular shank and titanium tip reinforcement plate that reduces mass while maintaining precise alignment; a stepped pipe structure connecting cantilever and armature increases rigidity for improved transient response. The body combines an aluminum base, titanium housing, and elastomer undercover — the titanium precision-machined using techniques from Sabae, Japan's famed eyeglass industry — and gold-plated terminal pins roughly 30 times thicker than conventional plating reduce contact resistance. The AT-ART20 carries Audio-Technica's Excellence Product designation.

Features

• Magnetic-core dual moving coil design with 0.6 mm thicker front yoke for over 15% higher output
• Special line contact nude diamond stylus (1.5 x 0.28 mil)
• 0.28 mm solid boron cantilever with titanium tip reinforcement plate
• Stepped pipe cantilever/armature joint for greater rigidity and transient response
• Precision-machined titanium housing with aluminum base and elastomer undercover
• Gold-plated terminal pins approximately 30 times thicker than conventional products
• Audio-Technica Excellence Product designation
• Fee-based Moving Coil Exchange Program available for servicing

Specifications

• Type: Dual moving coil (magnetic core)
• Stylus: Special line contact, nude diamond, 1.5 x 0.28 mil
• Cantilever: 0.28 mm solid boron
• Magnet Circuit: Front yoke 0.6 mm thicker than the AT-ART9XI for improved magnetic flux density
• Body: Aluminum base with titanium housing and elastomer undercover
• Output Voltage: 0.55 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec)
• Frequency Response: 20 - 50,000 Hz
• Channel Separation: 30 dB (1 kHz)
• Channel Balance: 0.5 dB (1 kHz)
• Tracking Force: 1.6 - 2.0 g (1.8 g standard)
• Recommended Load Impedance: 100 ohms minimum (with head amplifier)
• Coil Impedance: 12 ohms (1 kHz)
• DC Resistance: 12 ohms
• Coil Inductance: 25 µH (1 kHz)
• Static Compliance: 23 x 10^-6 cm/dyne
• Dynamic Compliance: 13 x 10^-6 cm/dyne (100 Hz)
• Vertical Tracking Angle: 20 degrees
• Mount: Half-inch standard mount, threaded M2.6 x 2 — two screws, no nuts required
• Weight: 9.0 g (0.32 oz)