Description
The history of VM cartridges is being rewritten
Nude elliptical stylus model that delivers clear, high-resolution sound
Audio-Technica's uniquely developed VM cartridge flagship lineup is reborn as the AT-VM700x/600x/500x series (AT-VMx series). This marks the first renewal in nine years since 2016, featuring a wide range of models from high-grade versions equipped with line contact styli to standard models with elliptical or conical styli. The AT-VMx series not only achieves the highest sound quality in VM cartridge history but also improves usability.
PCUHD (Pure Copper Ultra High Drawability) is newly adopted for the coil conductors in all models. This achieves powerful bass expression and a vast soundstage. By reducing the number of coil turns, the sound quality is more responsive and nimble, enhancing musical expressiveness. For the AT-VM530xEN nude elliptical stylus model, an aluminum pipe is used for the cantilever material. Coupled with a review of the suspension wire length and a significant reduction in stylus tip weight, tracking response to record grooves has improved, enabling even more musical and emotionally rich expression.
Furthermore, the cartridge's threaded mounting specification makes it easier to attach to integrated tonearms. Additionally, a V-cut has been added to the protector as a guide for the stylus tip position, improving visibility when lowering the stylus 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 launch of the MM stereo cartridge AT-1. The analog cartridges, which formed the foundation of our company, have continuously evolved through improvements tailored to each era, thanks to their excellent basic performance and our engineers' pursuit of superior sound. In 1967, our unique technological development led to the birth of the AT-35X, the origin of VM cartridges. Its innovative mechanism, inspired by the operational principle of 45-45 cutting, earned numerous international patents. In 1979, the AT120E/G, the first model in the AT100 series and the starting point for the current lineup, was released. Subsequently, models like the AT150MLX in Japan and the AT440ML overseas gained popularity and became long-selling items. VM cartridges became a flagship product for our company, cherished in various countries worldwide. In 2016, VM cartridges were globally unified as the VM700/600/500 series. This latest renewal comes nine years after that significant refresh.
Highest Sound Quality in VM Cartridge History*
Achieving Both Delicate Expressiveness and Immersive Sound Quality
For this renewal, development focused on achieving both delicate playback capability and immersive sound quality. We thoroughly re-evaluated the materials used and manufacturing processes, pursuing not only pure sound reproduction but also high expressiveness essential for rendering music.
*As of May 2025, compared to audio-technica JP previous models.
- PCUHD Newly Adopted for Coil Conductors
PCUHD, also used in our Hi-Fi audio cables, is adopted for VM cartridges for the first time. This achieves powerful bass expression and a vast soundstage. Furthermore, by reducing the number of coil turns, the sound quality is more responsive and nimble.
PCUHD: Pure Copper Ultra High Drawability
PCUHD® is a registered trademark of Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
- Lightweight Elliptical Stylus Tip
By changing the stylus tip shape from cylindrical to square, we successfully achieved significant weight reduction compared to conventional products. The reduced size results in lighter effective mass, enabling more accurate tracing of record grooves and higher sound quality.
- Diverse Stylus Lineup to Meet Your Sound Quality Needs
Equipped with a lightweight nude elliptical stylus, reducing the effective mass of the vibrating system. This is a higher-end elliptical stylus model that significantly enhances basic performance, thus achieving wideband playback.
- Center Shield 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 channel 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 kept within the specially wound coils. As a result, power generation efficiency is improved, and excellent linearity is achieved.
Easier Operation, Improved Usability
Threaded Cartridge Mounting Holes Implemented
Compatible with integrated tonearms widely adopted in the global Hi-Fi audio market. By changing to a threaded specification, cartridge mounting to integrated tonearms has become easier.
- Improved Stylus Tip Visibility During Operation
Previously, audio-technica received feedback that the stylus tip of conventional VM cartridges was difficult to see when lowering it onto a record. In these new models, while ensuring compatibility with previous models (replacement styli and bodies), a V-cut has been added to the protector as a guide for the stylus tip position, improving stylus tip visibility.
- Environmentally Friendly Packaging
By significantly reducing plastic, the packaging has been changed to be more environmentally friendly.
Specifications
| Type |
VM Type |
| Frequency Response |
20–25,000Hz |
| Output Voltage |
3.2mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec.) |
| Channel Separation |
25dB (1kHz) |
| Channel Balance |
1.5dB (1kHz) |
| Tracking Force |
1.8–2.2g (2.0g standard) |
| Coil Impedance |
3.2kΩ (1kHz) |
| DC Resistance |
750Ω |
| Recommended Load Resistance |
47kΩ |
| Recommended Load Capacitance |
150–250pF |
| Coil Inductance |
480mH (1kHz) |
| Static Compliance |
23×10-6cm/dyne |
| Dynamic Compliance |
7×10-6cm/dyne (100Hz) |
| Stylus |
Nude Elliptical |
| Stylus Tip Radius |
0.3×0.7mil |
| Cantilever |
Aluminum Pipe |
| Vertical Tracking Angle |
20° |
| Dimensions |
H17.5 × W18.3 × D28.0 mm |
| Mounting Screw Thread |
M2.6 × 2 |
| Weight |
7.2g |
