Audio-Technica AT-VM740xML Dual Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge with Microlinear Stylus

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 lightweight microlinear stylus of the AT-VM740xML allows it to trace the record groove with incredible accuracy, resulting in nuanced audio reproduction that elliptical and conical styli simply can't match.

We've also added threaded inserts to the die-cast aluminum 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.

Convenience Upgrades - Easy to Install & Use
Each AT-VMx cartridge body has threaded inserts, enabling it to be mounted to a headshell with just two screws - no nuts required. And the redesigned stylus protector now includes a V-cut for easy reference of the stylus's position when lowering it onto a record.

Premium PCUHD (Pure Copper Ultra High Drawability) Coils - Highly Efficient Generator
The paratoroidal coil construction of the cartridge's generator -two PCUHD coils per channel, one stacked behind the other greatly improves electromagnetic performance, while a slight reduction in coil turns* enhances transient response for clean, lifelike sound.

Flexibility to Upgrade - Interchangeable Styli
Since all AT-VMx and VM Series cartridges share the same body design and have a removable stylus, you can use almost any AT-VMNx or VMN replacement stylus with any VMx or VM cartridge for easy experimentation with sound characteristics.

All in the Design

AT-VMx - Vertical Dual Magnet Design
The Vertical Dual Magnet (VM) design closely mirrors the cutter head used to make the vinyl master.

Structure of Vinyl Master Cutter Head
The standard cutter head (used to record the vinyl master) uses two transducer coils, mounted perpendicular to each other at 45 Degree from horizontal, to cut the channel: one in each wall of the 90 Degree record groove.

Structure of AT-VMx Cartridge
The AT-VMx cartridges use the same 90 Degree V-Shape configuration as the cutter head. This way, the cartridge achieves accurate tracking, excellent channel separation, high definition of the stereo image and extreme clarity over the entire audio spectrum.