Description
A new chapter begins in the history of VM cartridge
Solid Shibata stylus model excelling in rich mid-low frequency reproduction
Audio-Technica's uniquely developed top-tier VM cartridge lineup is reborn as the AT-VM700x/600x/500x series (AT-VMx series). This marks a renewal after nine years since 2016, featuring a wide range of models from high-grade options with line contact styli to standard models with elliptical/conical styli. In addition to the highest sound quality in VM cartridge history, usability has also been enhanced.
All models now adopt PCUHD (Pure Copper Ultra High Drawability) for the coil conductors. This achieves powerful low-frequency expression and a vast soundstage. By reducing the number of coil turns, a responsive and light sound quality, along with enhanced musical expressiveness, is realized. Furthermore, the cantilever material for the high-grade models AT-VM760xSL, AT-VM750xSH, and AT-VM745xML is made of boron. This ensures rapid and accurate sound transients due to superior vibration transmission speed. The stylus tip has also been successfully miniaturized, significantly reducing weight. This allows for more precise tracing of the record groove, faithfully reproducing even the finest details of the sound.
Additionally, the cartridge now features threaded mounting holes, making it easier to attach to integrated tonearms. A V-cut has also been added to the protector as a guide for the stylus tip position, improving visibility 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 launch of the MM stereo cartridge AT-1. Analog cartridges, the foundation of our company, have continuously evolved through improvements tailored to each era by our technical developers who pursue excellent basic performance and good sound. In 1967, the AT-35X, the origin of VM cartridges, was born through our unique technological development. Its innovative mechanism, inspired by the operating principle of 45-45 cutting, obtained numerous international patents. Furthermore, in 1979, the AT120E/G, the first model in the AT100 series which is the starting point of the current series, was released. Subsequently, the AT150MLX in Japan and the AT440ML overseas gained popularity as long-selling items. VM cartridges have become an iconic product of our company, loved in various countries around the world. In 2016, VM cartridges were revamped as global models, the VM700/600/500 series, with globally unified specifications. This is the latest renewal, following a nine-year interval.
Highest Sound Quality in VM Cartridge History*
Achieving Both Delicate Expressiveness and Immersive Sound Quality
For this renewal, development focused on achieving both delicate reproduction capability and immersive sound quality. We thoroughly reviewed the materials used and manufacturing processes, pursuing not only pure sound reproduction but also high expressiveness essential for musicality.
*Compared to audio-technica products as of May 2025
- New Adoption of PCUHD for Coil Conductors
For the first time, PCUHD, also used in audio-technica Hi-Fi audio cables, is adopted for VM cartridges. This achieves powerful low-frequency expression and a vast soundstage. By reducing the number of coil turns, a responsive and light sound quality is achieved.
PCUHD: Pure Copper Ultra High Drawability
PCUHD® is a registered trademark of Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
- Hard Material Cantilever Exclusively for High-Grade Models
The cantilever material for the high-grade models with line contact styli, AT-VM760xSL, AT-VM750xSH, and AT-VM745xML, is made of boron. This ensures rapid and accurate sound transients due to superior vibration transmission speed.
- Stylus Tip Weight Reduction
By re-evaluating the shape and length of the stylus tip, we succeeded in significantly reducing its weight compared to conventional products. By reducing the diameter and shortening the length, the effective mass becomes lighter, allowing for more precise tracing of the record's sound.
- Housing Material Maximizing Stylus Characteristics
Upper body adopting die-cast aluminum alloy housing. This suppresses unwanted resonance and further enhances the excellent sound quality of the high-performance line contact stylus.
- Diverse Stylus Lineup to Meet Desired Sound Quality
Equipped with a solid Shibata stylus, which excels in reproducing not only high frequencies but also rich mid-low frequencies. It delivers clear and powerful sound image localization, capable of expressing the passion of a performance. Due to the large contact area between the stylus tip and the groove, the tip is less prone to wear and has a long lifespan.
- Center Shield Suppressing Electrical Crosstalk
The AT-VMx series features a large center shield plate placed between the left and right channels of the coil. This suppresses electrical crosstalk between the two and maintains high channel separation.
- Paratoroidal Coil Structure Adopted for the Body
The AT-VMx series features a unique generating system called the paratoroidal coil structure. The paratoroidal structure is unitized, and since there are no seams in the core, the magnetic flux is held within the specially wound coils. As a result, generation efficiency is improved, and excellent linearity is achieved.
Easier Operation, Improved Usability
Threaded Cartridge Mounting Holes Implemented
Supports 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
With previous VM cartridges, some users reported difficulty seeing the stylus tip when lowering the needle onto a record. While ensuring compatibility (replacement stylus and body) with old models, this new model adds a V-cut 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 a more environmentally friendly design.
Specifications
| Type | VM Type |
| Frequency Response | 20～27,000Hz |
| Output Voltage | 3.7mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec.) |
| Channel Separation | 26dB (1kHz) |
| Channel Balance | 1.0dB (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 | 20×10-6 cm/dyne |
| Dynamic Compliance | 7×10-6 cm/dyne (100Hz) |
| Stylus | Nude Shibata Stylus |
| Stylus Tip Radius | 2.7×0.26mil |
| Cantilever | φ0.28mm Solid Boron |
| Vertical Tracking Angle | 20° |
| Dimensions | H17.5 × W18.3 × D29.0mm |
| Mounting Screw Thread | M2.6 × 2 |
| Weight | 8.8g |
