AudioTechnica VM740ML Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge

I currently own the AT125lc AT155lc AT440mla and the AT7V. recently purchased the VM740ML. AT certainly hit this one out of the park. the 440 was to bright but showed promise for the ML geometry. The 155 was a great cartridge for the day but this Vm740Ml has all the best of these previous carts and none of the cons. Fresh out of the box you can tell it is something special. Detailed and quiet, soars through the highs without problems and has great bass. shows the new technology is just not a repeat of the older carts. definitely worth a listen. I think it is the best MM cart out there today. I also have the ART9 another detailed cartridge that can sail through the highs without trouble and sounds just a bit more rounded than the VM740ML at almost triple the price. I am loving the new cartridges from Audio Technica.

MY RECORDS: I have been collecting LP records since the middle 1950s, mostly classical, these mostly symphonic, with a few experiments, and all I could find of Nancy Sinatra. I have over 400 records, and I've cared for them and play them still, often. Over the years, I've had many different rigs and over a dozen earlier stereo cartridges, including the very first General Electric GC-7 and probably every one ever made by Shure. The older among you may even remember the name Sonotone.

I know what my records sound like, and, for good measure, I regularly recalibrate my ears by subjecting them to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the best symphony orchestra in the land in the best concert hall in the land. I also attend chamber performances and have a son-in-law who sings in a fine master chorale group. I know what natural, unamped music sounds like.

MY RIG: I have a state of the art audio rig, this without climbing into the realm of the preposterous. If you're reading this review, you know what I mean. I have full range speakers all around, with both 12" and 15" woofers and horn drivers up front, a powerful receiver/amp, and the Audio-Technica AT120LP-USB manual turntable. It came originally equipped with the AT95E dual moving magnet elliptical stylus cartridge. I do not use headphones.

RIGHT UP FRONT: If all you have is some old Beatles records and a few by that other Sinatra, you'll probably be equally satisfied with the AT95E, which, at about fifty bucks, is deliciously smooth and capable. If you have a serious LP collection and wish to hear them as cleanly and clearly as possible, even better than they sounded when new, go for the VM740ML. This cartridge is so good, I can hear the evolution of the recording industry in my collection. As they came by wider range and more noise-free mag tape and learned about better microphones and microphone placement and mixing, the records kept improving, the newer they got. I can frequently hear the difference in the recording hal

Soundstage and dynamic range are very impressive. Works very well with half speed remasters.

I have this on my VPI Scout feeding a Simaudio Moon 110LP. My previous two cartridges were moving coils at 2x+ the price of this cartridge. I don't think my Scout has ever sounded better. I am amazed. I will never be willing to spend $5K or more for a LOMC cartridge so I will never know how those sound. I can't imagine it getting that much better. I was also an Ortofon fan for a long time because my last AT cartridge (ATML150) was kind of a mixed bag that I never really fell in love with this. This one is a different kettle of fish altogether. Solid bass foundation underneath an open and beautiful midrange topped with a clean and clear top end that never sounds over emphasized or harsh. If you like small group jazz bands and jazz vocalists, put this on your tonearm, you may never take it off.

This is the finest moving magnet cartridge ever made. It rivals any moving coil on the market. You will not be dissappointed with this beauty!

This is steal for the price. The nude micro line stylus really makes for some magic with your records.

A nice upgrade from the discontinued AT 440ML. Has all the virtues of the 440 (excellent tracking, low distortion) without the hot high end. Very smooth and clear sound.

Probably the best buy from the new AT series. Huge upgrade from the 500-er line, easy to setup and provides a very musical, rhythmic, distortion free sound. It has enough heft to keep the presentation balanced however, in absolute terms its deep bass weight may be a little bit short of energy. Just noticeable, nothing serious. A very well crafted cartridge, perfect balance between price and quality, generally very high value. More suited to jazz and acoustic music than classical. Those classical music fans had better choosing the 750SA that is more calm and even more smooth.