A New Chapter in VM Cartridge History
Bonded Elliptical Stylus Model for Accurate Information Retrieval
Audio-Technica's exclusive VM type cartridges, the pinnacle of our lineup, are reborn as the AT-VM700x/600x/500x Series (AT-VMx Series). This marks the first renewal in nine years since 2016, offering a wide range of models from high-grade versions equipped with line contact styli to standard models featuring elliptical or conical styli. Beyond achieving the best sound quality in VM cartridge history, usability has also been significantly enhanced.
All models now feature PCUHD (Pure Copper Ultra High Drawability) for their coil conductors. This delivers powerful low-frequency reproduction and a vast soundstage. By reducing the number of coil turns, we have also achieved a responsive, light sound quality and enhanced musical expressiveness.
Furthermore, the change to a threaded cartridge specification makes installation onto integrated tonearms easier. Additionally, a V-cut has been added to the protector as a guide for the stylus tip position, improving the visibility of the stylus tip when lowering the needle onto a record.
The AT-VMx Series ushers in a new listening experience. The door to a rich world of sound is now opening.
Audio-Technica began its journey in 1962 with the release of the MM stereo cartridge AT-1. Analog cartridges, the foundation of our company, have continuously evolved through successive improvements tailored to each era, driven by their excellent fundamental performance and our technical developers' pursuit of superior sound. In 1967, through our unique technological development, the AT-35X, the origin of the VM type cartridge, was born. Its innovative mechanism, inspired by the operational principles of 45-45 cutting, earned numerous international patents. Later, in 1979, the AT120E/G, the first model in the AT100 series and the starting point for the current series, was launched. Subsequently, models like the AT150MLX in Japan and the AT440ML overseas gained popularity and became long-selling items. The VM type cartridge became our emblematic product, cherished in various countries worldwide. In 2016, the VM type cartridge was refreshed as the global VM700/600/500 series with globally unified specifications. This latest renewal comes nine years after that.
Best-Ever Sound Quality in VM Cartridge History*
Achieving Both Delicate Expressiveness and Immersive Sound Quality
In this renewal, we developed with the concept of achieving both delicate playback capability and an immersive sound quality. We thoroughly re-evaluated the materials and manufacturing processes used, pursuing not only pure sound reproduction but also the high expressiveness required for musical performance.
*Compared to audio-technica JP products as of May 2025
- New Adoption of PCUHD for Coil Conductors
For the first time, PCUHD, also used in our Hi-Fi audio cables, has been adopted for VM type cartridge coil conductors. This achieves powerful low-frequency reproduction and a vast soundstage. Furthermore, by reducing the number of coil turns, we have achieved a light sound quality with excellent responsiveness.
PCUHD: Pure Copper Ultra High Drawability
PCUHD® is a registered trademark of Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
- Diverse Stylus Lineup to Meet Your Sound Quality Demands
This is a standard elliptical stylus model equipped with a bonded elliptical stylus. Tracing distortion is reduced, allowing for more accurate information retrieval.
Bonded Elliptical Stylus
- Center Shield for Suppressing Electrical Crosstalk
The AT-VMx Series features a large center shield plate positioned between the left and right channels of the coil. This suppresses electrical crosstalk between the two, maintaining high separation.
- Paratoroidal Coil Structure Adopted for the Body
The AT-VMx Series features a unique generating system called a paratoroidal coil structure. The paratoroidal structure is unitized, and since the core has no seams, the magnetic flux is retained within the specially wound coils. As a result, power generation efficiency is improved, achieving excellent linearity.
Easier Operation, Improved Usability
Implemented Threaded Cartridge Mounting Holes
Compatible with integrated tonearms widely adopted in the global Hi-Fi audio market. By changing to a threaded specification, cartridge installation onto integrated tonearms has become easier.
- Improved Stylus Tip Visibility During Operation
Audio-Technica had received feedback that the stylus tip was difficult to see when lowering the needle onto a record with conventional VM-type cartridges. For this model, while ensuring compatibility with previous models (replacement styli, body), we have improved stylus tip visibility by adding a V-cut to the protector as a guide for the stylus tip position.
- Environmentally Friendly Packaging
By significantly reducing plastic, we have switched to more environmentally friendly packaging.
