Cellule MC Audio Technica AT-ART20

Audio-Technica completes its ART range with a new top-of-the-range moving coil cartridge. The AT-ART20 offers a remarkable technological design that guarantees uncompromising analogue sound reproduction.

Audio Technica AT-ART20: Technology

The special feature of this phono cell is that it uses the Audio-Technica Reference Transducer (ART) process.

The new magnetic circuit improves the efficiency of the cartridge. In fact, the output voltage has been improved by over 15% without increasing the number of turns of the coil and therefore increasing the mass and, of course, the impedance.

The diamond is cut with a 'Contact Linear Special' profile mounted on a solid boron cantilever with a diameter of 0.28 mm. This provides a very wide high-frequency response (20 Hz to 50 kHz) with minimal distortion.

The dual voice coils, made from high-performance PCOCC (Pure Copper Ohno Continuous Cast) wire, are aligned in an inverted V-shape to provide high separation and a wide response for clear localisation of sound and minimal distortion.

Audio Technica AT-ART20 : Body

The body of the AT-ART20 is precision machined from polished Titanium using optical cutting and polishing tools.

This has also resulted in a very specific and unique curved surface. This cutting technology has made it possible to reduce the thickness of the titanium and therefore considerably lighten the whole cell. The underside of the case is fitted with an elastomer layer. The combination of these materials minimises the cell's resonance.

The connection pins are covered with a very thick gold plating compared with the competition. In fact, this gold layer has been increased by around 30 times compared with conventional products, in order to reduce contact resistance.

The body of this cell is fitted with threaded inserts for easy installation on the arm's cell holder.

Audio Technica AT-ART20 : Listening

The AT-ART20's high-frequency response is very wide. Low frequencies are reproduced with great strength and impact, while remaining transparent and defined.

Voices are reproduced with great finesse while retaining a high degree of expressiveness, giving a striking realism to certain recordings.

This is accentuated by a soundstage that extends well beyond the axis of the speakers. Spatialization is also a great success, making it easy to locate the various performers. Timbre is one of the strong points of this low-level MC. Its realism means that whatever the musical genre, you can effortlessly detect the original texture of the instruments.

This Audio Technica is certainly one of the 5 best cartridges on the market today, and it clearly demonstrates the expertise of a great manufacturer.

Highly recommended.