Audio Technica AT-VM740xML Moving Magnet Cartridge

About The Audio Technica AT-VM740xML Moving Magnet Cartridge

The AT-VM740xML Cartridge features a Microlinear stylus and is a 700 series model in Audio-Technica’s AT-VMx cartridge line – a line that harks back to A-T’s early days as a manufacturer primarily of high-end phono cartridges, while also incorporating today’s advanced technology. Like all AT-VMx cartridges, the AT-VM740xML is equipped with dual magnets that are positioned to match the left and right channels in the stereo record groove for outstanding channel separation and extended frequency response. The AT-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. The cartridge’s Aluminium tapered pipe cantilever and Nude Microlinear stylus allows it to trace the record groove with incredible accuracy, providing more nuanced sound reproduction than elliptical and conical styli.

Analogous to the Cutter Head: A cutter head carves out the record grooves. The modulations in the groove are ‘analogue’ mechanical equivalents of the original audio signals. To ‘read’ these modulations, Audio-Technica developed the internationally-patented Dual Magnet design which duplicates the structure of cutter head.

Instead of using a single, large magnet, the two magnets are arranged in the shape of a ‘V’. The two magnets are positioned precisely to match the positions of the left and right channels in the stereo groove walls. Consequently, the AT-VMx design ensures outstanding channel separation, extended frequency response and superb tracking.

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 (compared to VM series cartridges) enhances transient response for clean, lifelike sound.

Metal Body: The AT-VM740x’s die-cast aluminium body helps reduce vibrations and resonances.

Centre Shield Plate between Stereo Channels: A permalloy centre shield plate enables the effective separation of left and right channels, suppressing electrical crosstalk to below 40dB. This is similar to the actual crosstalk value found in the grooves of the record itself.

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. *Excludes mono models

Microlinear Stylus: The Microlinear stylus almost exactly duplicates the shape of the cutting stylus that produces the original master disc (the disc used to create the pressed vinyl record). This likeness enables the Microlinear stylus to track portions of the groove other styli cannot reach, resulting in extremely accurate tracing of high-frequency passages and a flat frequency response within the audible range. The unique multilevel shape also wears more evenly, greatly extending record and stylus life.

Our Review

The Audio-Technica AT-VM740xML makes sense for vinyl lovers who want a proper step up in detail without veering into the over-the-top territory. Sitting proudly in the 700 series of A-T’s VMx line, this moving magnet cartridge marries classic craftsmanship with cutting-edge precision. Its Microlinear stylus and aluminium tapered cantilever team up to track grooves with an almost surgical finesse, picking up the finest details and offering a wonderfully nuanced, lifelike sound. Thanks to the patented dual magnet design – mimicking the cutter head itself – and a paratoroidal coil setup, it delivers stellar channel separation and a frequency response that’s genuinely impressive. The solid die-cast aluminium body dampens unwanted resonances, and the interchangeable stylus system means you can tailor the sound to your taste with ease. All in all, it’s a top-tier cartridge that feels thoughtfully engineered from the ground up – smooth, responsive, and seriously capable.