Audio-Technica VM540ML Moving Magnet Cartridge,Red

Product Information

These were very strong characteristics of the previous AT440MLa/b series and are accounted by the VM generator (unchanged between both families except the improvement of copper purity from PC-OCC to 6N-OFC) and by the mechanical parts (cantilever and ML tip unchanged as per specifications). Stereo separation and precision up to the innermost grooves remained virtually unchanged with the VM540ML.

Likely a pressing fault, namely ‘stitching’ or ‘infill’, which are both issues with heavyweight vinyl and are caused by a less than perfect heat or pressure (it is harder to press 180-200g than the traditional 140g). But if you are happy with it set at 2,0 grams then that is fine but it also pays to experiment to make sure you have it set at the right weight that works for your ears. So just a little warning to those people with preamps with non adjustable preamps that might be running at 150-200pf before the leads.After having had the AT120 and the AT440MLa/b for over 6 years, I've sold the old AT120E body and the ATN440MLa (which was actually an earlier version of the AT440MLb already featuring the AT440MLb non-anodized cantilever) to get the VM540ML. The VM540ML from Audio Technica comes with the MicroLine® stylus that allows it to trace the record groove with great accuracy.

Celebrating 36 years of business, Kronos AV offers one of the world's largest collections of fine audio products. The minutes after the VM540ML stylus was lowered into the groove I was surprised to catch differences over the VM95ML which is in my possession for two years now. The VM540ML is making use of different suspension, coils and wires and has a sector plate between the coils to reduce cross talk. After getting myself some new second-hand records from the 1960s to the 1980s during 2021, the VM540ML now has over 338h of use and still performs pretty well with most of my records.At the time, this was a more modern recording of some of Sinatra’s classic songs with orchestral arrangements by Nelson Riddle.

It is hard to explain the details without a drawing but the copyright is uncertain, so I am not reproducing them here. We found the gain of the Parasound was set too high for the largest, low frequency, lateral grooves found on the CBS STR 112 and the preamp clipped. In its VM540 ML/H version, it came pre-mounted on Audio Technica’s HS-10 headshell, and I decided that this was the most practical solution for our SL1310.Jean-Pierre Rampal/Claude Bolling, Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano, Columbia Masterworks LP, M33233, 1975. He had thereby re-established the connection, and the turntable did perform well, until recently, when the left channel failed once again.