The Audio-Technica AT-ART1000X Cartridge Is Its The Most Advanced Cartridge Yet, According to the Manufacturer.
The new Audio-Technica AT-ART1000X is touted by the manufacturer as their most advanced cartridge to date, “the culmination of over 60 years of experience in producing the world’s best turntable components. The AT-ART1000X is developed and made in Japan, fully in line with Audio-Technica’s commitment to delivering an unparalleled analog listening experience to audiophile listeners.”
Successor to the AT-ART1000
With this next-generation cartridge, Audio-Technica “builds on the philosophy and design of the highly acclaimed AT-ART1000, reinforcing its leadership ambition in ultimate sound reproduction. This is exemplified by the Direct Power System, which has been further refined and made more efficient for better bass response.” As with its predecessor, the AT-ART1000X’s dual moving coil is positioned directly above the stylus thanks to the Direct Power System. This, according to the manufacturer, ensures even the most subtle sonic details are clearly rendered and the audio signal is not negatively affected by the length and material of the cantilever.
Rectangular Coils
The newly developed coils of the AT-ART1000X are rectangular instead of round, allowing for a larger surface area in the magnetic field. This results in higher output voltage and an extended range in low frequencies, providing rich, powerful, and extremely precise bass.
Powerful Magnetic Circuit
Each non-magnetic core coil is made of PCOCC wire (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting) with a diameter of 20 μm (0.79 mil) and precisely eight windings. Naturally, these are hand-wound by Audio-Technica’s experienced craftsmen to create the innovative rectangular shape. The coils are encased in an ultra-thin special film of 25 μm (0.98 mil) and placed in the tiny gap (0.5 mm) of a powerful magnetic circuit, allowing each coil to generate an output voltage of 0.22 mV with a coil impedance of 3.5 Ω, despite the non-magnetic core.
“The AT-ART1000X retains the high-quality line-contact stylus and solid boron cantilever of the previous model, ensuring an extremely precise reading of the record groove. Simultaneously, the robust titanium base ensures consistency during playback, as it, combined with the hard plastic cap and aluminum housing of the cartridge, disperses resonances that could negatively impact sound quality,” says the manufacturer.
Built to Last
Finally, according to the creators, the Audio-Technica AT-ART1000X is designed to last: “A special coating protects the magnetic circuit from corrosion, ensuring stable performance throughout the cartridge’s lifetime.”
The Audio-Technica AT-ART1000X is available immediately at a recommended retail price of €5,500. For more information, visit the manufacturer’s website.
Product Features
Here are the key specifications of the Audio-Technica AT-ART1000X, in the words of the manufacturer:
- The innovative Direct Power System guarantees unparalleled transient response, making even the most subtle sonic details perfectly audible.
- The newly designed rectangular coils make the cartridge more efficient, with higher output in the low frequencies.
- The cartridge features threaded mounting holes for easy installation on a headshell or integrated tonearm.
- The special line-contact stylus and solid boron cantilever with a diameter of 0.26 mm ensure an extremely precise reading of the record groove.
- The non-magnetic core coils provide excellent spatial audio reproduction.
- The titanium base of the magnetic circuit, the hard plastic cap, and the aluminum housing disperse unwanted resonances.
- The PCOCC coil (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting) ensures pure signal transmission.
- A special coating protects the magnetic circuit from corrosion, ensuring stable performance throughout the cartridge’s lifetime.
- Developed and manufactured in Japan by experienced specialists.