The AT-VMx series brings new warmth and realism to Audio-Technica’s premium dual moving magnet (MM) cartridge line, delivering an expansive soundstage that’s alive with musical detail.
Like all our MM cartridges, this updated design closely mirrors the cutter head used to make the vinyl master. It utilizes two magnets, positioned to match the left and right channels in the stereo record groove for outstanding channel separation and extended frequency response. But the new VMx series also introduces material and design changes to further refine the sound, offering responsive playback that is especially sensitive to the dynamism of musical expression.
All VMx cartridges feature a generator with paratoroidal coil construction: two coils per channel – one stacked behind the other – for greatly improved efficiency. A center shield plate separates the left and right channels to reduce crosstalk and maintain a clear stereo image. The copper wire used for the coils has been upgraded to PCUHD® (Pure Copper Ultra High Drawability), resulting in richer, more nuanced audio reproduction. The number of coil turns has also been slightly reduced to improve transient response, allowing the cartridge to react more quickly to signal changes for stunningly clean music with lifelike immediacy. The new, lightweight 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical nude stylus of the AT-VM530xEN reduces the mass of the vibration system, enabling better frequency response and less distortion than a bonded stylus.
We’ve also added threaded inserts to the body of each VMx cartridge, making it easier to mount (just two screws required), especially to the integrated tonearms common on high-end turntables. And a new V-cut in the stylus’s flip-up protector provides quick reference of the stylus position, serving as a guide when lowering the stylus onto a record.
Features
- AT-VMx dual moving magnet cartridge with 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical nude stylus
- 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical nude stylus tracks the record groove with accuracy for outstanding audio reproduction
- Significantly lighter stylus tip (compared to previous model) allows for more precise tracing of the record groove
- Paratoroidal coils improve generating efficiency for enhanced channel separation, channel balance, and transient response
- PCUHD (Pure Copper Ultra High Drawability) coils – and fewer coil turns – deliver highly responsive, three-dimensional sound reproduction with excellent transient response
- Center shield plate between the left and right channels reduces crosstalk for clear stereo sound
- Threaded inserts make cartridge easier to mount, especially to integrated tonearms
- V-cut in the flip-up stylus protector shows stylus position, serving as a guide for lowering the stylus onto a record
- Durable low-resonance polymer housing
- Aluminum cantilever
- Compatible with any turntable headshell that accepts 1/2" cartridges
- Compatible with most AT-VMx series replacement styli,* offering a wide choice of options for every budget and application
*Excludes mono models
Specifications
| Cartridge & Stylus |
| Frequency Response |
20 to 25,000 Hz |
| Channel Separation |
25 dB (1 kHz) |
| Vertical Tracking Angle |
20° |
| Tracking Force |
1.8 to 2.2 g (2.0 g standard) |
| Stylus Construction |
Nude elliptical |
| Recommended Load Impedance |
47 k ohms |
| Coil Impedance |
3.2 k ohms (1 kHz) |
| DC Resistance |
750 ohms |
| Coil Inductance |
480 mH (1 kHz) |
| Output Voltage |
3.2 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.) |
| Output Balance |
1.5 dB (1 kHz) |
| Cantilever |
Aluminum pipe |
| Static Compliance |
23 × 10-6 cm/dyne |
| Dynamic Compliance |
7 × 10-6 cm/dyne (100 Hz) |
| Dimensions |
28.0 mm (1.1”) × 18.3 mm (0.72”) × 17.6 mm (0.69”) (H × W × D) |
| Accessories Included |
Cartridge installation screws** (M2.6) (10.0 mm (0.39”) × 2, 8.0 mm (0.31”) × 2, 5.0 mm (0.20”) × 2), washer × 2 |
| Threaded Hole |
M2.6 × 2 |
| Recommended Load Capacitance |
150 to 250 pF |
| Replacement Stylus |
AT-VMN30xEN* (sold separately) |
| Stylus Curvature Radius |
0.3 × 0.7 mil |
| Type |
VM |
| Weight |
7.2 g (0.25 oz) |
| Notes |
*The replacement stylus of this product is used for AT-VMx series products. In this series, we offer replacement styli with different stylus tip structures and point shapes.
**Cartridge installation screws (5.0 mm (0.20”)) x 2 are used to secure the cartridge in the box at the time of purchase. Be sure to keep and not lose these after removing the cartridge from the box.
For product improvement, the product is subject to modification without notice. |
