Stereo AEX 2026 Award Solid Aluminum Tapered Pipe Cartridge for Record Players Audio-Technica AT-VM740xML VM-type Cartridge, Winner, Micro-Linear

Newly adopted PCUHD*² coil conductor: This is the first VM-type cartridge to utilize PCUHD*², which is also used in our Hi-Fi audio cables. It delivers powerful bass reproduction and a vast soundstage. Furthermore, by reducing the number of turns in the winding, it achieves a light and responsive sound quality. *² PCUHD: Pure Copper Ultra High Drawability (high-purity oxygen-free copper wire) A diverse lineup of styli to meet your desired sound quality: While possessing the excellent information density and wideband reproduction capabilities of micro-linear styli, they also offer a rich sound image and powerful mid-low frequency reproduction. Due to the large contact area between the stylus tip and the groove, the stylus tip is less prone to wear and has a long lifespan. The body employs a paratoroidal coil structure: The "AT-VMx" series features a unique power generation system called a paratoroidal coil structure. Because the paratoroidal structure is unitized and has no seams in the core, the magnetic flux is held within the specially wound coil. As a result, power generation efficiency is improved and excellent linearity is achieved. Features threaded cartridge mounting holes: Compatible with integrated tonearms widely used in the global Hi-Fi audio market. The change to threaded holes makes it easier to attach cartridges to integrated tonearms. Improved visibility of the stylus tip during operation: With conventional VM-type cartridges, we received feedback that the needle tip was difficult to see when dropping the needle onto the record. In this model, while maintaining compatibility with the old model (replacement needle and body), we have improved the visibility of the stylus tip by adding a V-shaped cut to the protector as a guide for the needle tip position. This model features a solid micro-linear stylus and an aluminum tapered pipe cantilever, excelling in rich midrange reproduction. Audio-Technica's top-of-the-line VM-type cartridge series, a proprietary product of the company, has been reborn as the "AT-VM700x/600x/500x" series ("AT-VMx" series). This is the first renewal in nine years since 2016, and the lineup now includes a wide range of models, from high-grade models equipped with line-contact styli to standard models equipped with elliptical/conical styli. In addition to the best sound quality in VM-type cartridge history, ease of use has also been improved. All models newly adopt PCUHD (high-purity oxygen-free copper) for the coil conductor, achieving powerful bass expression and a vast soundstage. By reducing the number of turns in the winding, the sound quality is responsive and light, and musical expressiveness is enhanced. Models equipped with micro-linear styli are available in two types with different cantilever materials. The cantilever material of this product, "AT-VM740xML," uses an aluminum tapered pipe, achieving both weight reduction and improved durability. Furthermore, the change to a threaded cartridge design allows for integration. Mounting to a rated tonearm is now easier. Additionally, a V-shaped cut has been added to the protector to serve as a guide for the stylus tip position, improving the visibility of the stylus tip when dropping the needle onto the record.