VM520xEB Moving Magnet Cartridge

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 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical bonded stylus of the AT-VM520xEB tracks the record groove with accuracy for outstanding audio reproduction.

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 bonded stylus
   
• 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical bonded stylus tracks the record groove with accuracy for outstanding audio reproduction
   
• 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
• Centre 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

VMCartridge structure

Audio-Technica’s high performance para-toroidal coil structure is inherited in this new VM generation.

Toroidal ring coils are separated by a centre magnetic shield for complete electrical channel separation. As a result, the new Dual Moving Magnet cartridge series offers audiophiles a delicate-yet-stable sound performance at affordable price positions - a blend that continues to allow Audio-Technica products to be favoured for high-fidelity sound.

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

• Specifications

• ​Frequency response: 20 to 20,000 Hz
• Output voltage: 5.0 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.)
• Channel separation: 24 dB (1 kHz)
• Output balance: 1.5 dB (1 kHz)
• Tracking force: 1.8 to 2.2g (2.0g standard)
• Coil impedance: 3.2 k ohms (1 kHz)
• DC resistance: 750 ohms
• Recommended load impedance: 47 k ohms
• Recommended load compliance: 150 to 250 pF
• Coil inductance: 480 mH (1 kHz)
• Static compliance: 23 × 10-6 cm/dyne
• Dynamic compliance: 7 × 10-6 cm/dyne (100 Hz)
• Stylus: Elliptical bonded
• Cantilever: Aluminium pipe
• Vertical tracking angle 20°
• Dimensions 28.0 mm (1.1”) × 18.3 mm (0.72”) × 17.6 mm (0.69”) (H × W × D)
• Weight: 7.2 g (0.25 oz)
• Threaded Hole: M2.6 × 2
• Stylus Curvature Radius 0.3 × 0.7 mil
• Type: VM
•  
• Replacement stylus: AT-VMN20xEB*

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.