Audio-Technica AT-ART20 Dual MC Moving Coil Stereo Cartridge

Description

A new realm of analog sound

Audio-Technica is pleased to introduce the AT-ART20, the
latest cartridge in our ART Series that will allow you to experience a new
world of sound. As with previous magnetic core cartridges in our high-end
lineup, we had two main goals in developing the AT-ART20: provide superlative
analog sound reproduction and optimize the performance and benefits of a
magnetic core cartridge.

Based on cartridge technologies and know-how cultivated over
our long history, and employing the best materials and advanced processing
techniques, we created a magnetic core moving coil cartridge that’s optimally
structured to reproduce sound with the full expressiveness of the original
recording.

The high-frequency response of the AT-ART20 is extended and
detailed, while the low-frequency sound, which cartridges tend to bury, is
reproduced with full clarity and force. Vocals come through with all the
variety and expressiveness of the human voice, even at low volumes, and,
indeed, the full character of the sound source blossoms anew for the listener,
with extended sound depth and rich spatial imaging to convey the original
environment of the performance.

Unprecedented, Emotional Sound Quality

All sonic details carefully and accurately reproduced

Unparalleled expressive power to depict every tone and
space

As a top-of-the-line MC cartridge, the AT-ART20 transmits an
astonishing amount of information with high resolution, while capturing musical
expression. The sound field stage is realistic, regardless of music genre,
fully delivering the expressiveness of a performer’s voice and the instrument’s
original dynamic qualities.

High-quality terminal pins with thick gold plating

The thickness of the gold-plated portion has been increased
to approximately 30 times than that of conventional products to reduce contact
resistance.

Resonance suppression by combining various materials

The cartridge construction consists of an aluminum base,
titanium housing, and elastomer undercover. The unique combination of these
materials minimizes resonance.

Design That Expresses a Sense of Life and Dynamism

Utilizing Fukui Prefecture’s world-class technology in
cartridges

Precision-machined titanium with polished finish

By utilizing the advanced cutting and polishing technologies
cultivated in the eyeglass industry of Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, which has
a history stretching back more than 100 years, Audio-Technica has realized an
organic design with a beautifully curved surface that has never been seen in a
cartridge before. The combination of this design and advanced cutting
technology has also made it possible to reduce the thickness of the titanium,
resulting in a significant weight reduction.

Magnetic Core MC with a Superb Sound

Cartridge finished in Japan

Newly designed magnetic circuit improves the cartridge’s
efficiency

Based on the magnetic circuit of the AT-ART9XI, the front
yoke is 0.6 mm (0.024″) thicker to improve magnetic flux density. By increasing
the efficiency, more realistic sound quality is achieved. Output voltage is
improved by more than 15% without increasing the number of coil turns which can
increase mass and impedance.

Lighter and More Responsive with a New Stylus/Cantilever
Assembly

Strengthened cantilever improves high-frequency characteristics

Tip reinforcement plate made of titanium reduces stylus
tip mass

As in the flagship model of the ART Series, the AT-ART1000,
titanium is used for the tip reinforcement plate that holds the diamond tip in
place. This reduces its mass and improves the high-frequency characteristics.

Special line contact stylus and 0.28 mm (0.011″) diameter
solid boron cantilever

A nude special line contact stylus is used to provide
premium high-frequency response with minimal inner-groove distortion for
consistent reproduction across the entire record. The special line contact
shape also causes very little abrasion, resulting in long stylus life and low
record wear.

A rectangular shank mounts the stylus to the cantilever,
ensuring precise alignment with the record groove and reducing mass to improve
transient and frequency response (20 – 50,000 Hz).

In addition, a stepped pipe structure is used, connecting
the cantilever and armature increasing rigidity, which improves the strength of
the cantilever and suppresses unwanted vibrations.

Features

• Provides
  superlative analog sound reproduction

• Reproduces
  sound with the full expressiveness of the original recording

• Newly
  designed magnetic circuit improves the cartridge’s efficiency

• Output
  voltage is improved by more than 15% without increasing the number of coil
  turns which can increase mass and impedance.

• High-quality
  terminal pins with thick gold plating are approximately 30 times than that
  of conventional products to reduce contact resistance

• Constructed
  of titanium, and aluminum with an elastomer undercover to reduce
  undesirable resonance

• Special
  line contact stylus and solid boron cantilever with a 0.28 mm diameter
  provide premium high-frequency response with minimal inner-groove
  distortion for consistent reproduction

• Utilizes
  the advanced cutting and polishing technologies cultivated in the eyeglass
  industry of Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, with history stretching back
  more than 100 years

• Threaded
  cartridge mounting holes allow easy installation to a headshell or
  integrated tonearm

 

Specifications

Cartridge & Stylus
Frequency Response	20 to 50,000 Hz
Channel Separation	30 dB (1 kHz)
Vertical Tracking Angle	20°
Vertical Tracking Force	1.6 to 2.0 g (1.8 g standard)
Stylus Construction	Nude
Recommended Load Impedance	≥ 100 ohms (when head amplifier connected)
Coil Impedance	12 ohms (1 kHz)
DC Resistance	12 ohms
Coil Inductance	25 μH (1 kHz)
Output Voltage	0.55 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.)
Stylus Shape	Special Line Contact
Cantilever	0.28 mm (0.011”) diameter solid boron
Static Compliance	23 × 10-6 cm/dyne
Dynamic Compliance	13 × 10-6 cm/dyne (100 Hz)
Cartridge Weight	9.0 g (0.32 oz)
Dimensions	17.3 mm (0.68”)×16.8 mm (0.66”)×26.6 mm (1.05”) (H×W×D)
Accessories Included	Non-magnetic screwdriver, Brush, Washer × 2, Cartridge installation screws (M2.6) (5.0 mm (0.20”) × 2 , 8.0 mm (0.31”) × 2, 10.0 mm (0.39”) × 2 , 12.0 mm (0.47”) × 2), Protector
Threaded Hole	M2.6 × 2
Stylus Curvature Radius	1.5 × 0.28 mil
Type	MC