Audio Technica's VM 520 EB MM cartridge is partly derived from the innovations and technology developed on the manufacturer's high-end models, like Audio Technica's VM 740 ML cartridge. Though a level of compromise had to be reached to make its price more competitive.
Audio Technica VM 520 EB: Needle
Its elliptical stylus stylus is precision-bonded to an aluminium cantilever.
Its tilting stylus guard embedded in the Audio Technica VM 520 cartridge is very practical.
Audio Technica VM 520 EB: Motor and magnets
The motor features dual magnets that use the 'VM' technology. Instead of using one large magnet, the two magnets are arranged in a 'V'.
They are accurately positioned according to the positions of the left and right channels.
The VM design of the Audio Technica VM 520 makes for better channel separation and frequency response.
Para-toroidal coils with high purity PCOCC copper conductors improve the efficiency of the generator and offer great linearity.
A shielding plate has been added between the two coils, hence reducing crosstalk between the channels.
Audio Technica VM 520 EB: Body
The structure of the VM520 is entirely designed to minimise vibrations in the cartridge housing to make playback as precise and clear as possible.
The connectors of the AudioTechnica are gold-plated.
Its weight, tracking force and compliance make it compatible with most tonearms.
Audio Technica VM 520 EB: Listening and test review
With this VM 520 EB, you get the musicality and quality of Audio Technica cartridges.
Reproduction is quite similar to the AT 440 MM cartridge, with slightly less subtleness. This is probably due to the lower quality of the stylus.
It naturally has the distinctive definition and clarity of the Japanese manufacturer's cartridges. The clarity and tracking ability are great.
This Audio Technica VM 520 EB favours precision and punch.
Its technical features make it compatible with many vinyl turntables and tonearms.
This is a great moving magnet cartridge (MM) and a good alternative to Ortofon cartridges or Grado cartridges.
Would recommend!
AWARDS:
What Hi-Fi
FranckType: MM
Frequency response: 20 Hz-25 kHz
Channel separation: 27 dB
Channel balance: 1.5 dB
Output voltage: 4. mV
VTA: 23°
Tracking force: 1.8/2.2 g
Recommended tracking force: 2 g
Stylus: bonded, elliptical
Tip shape: conical 0.3 x 0.7 mil
Assembly: integral
Cantilever: aluminium
Compliance: 14 x 10-6 cm/dyne
Coils: para-toroidal, PCOCC conductors
Moving magnet: VM dual magnet
Load impedance: 47 kOhms
Load capacitance: 100-200 pF
Cartridge weight: 6.4 g
Height: 17.3 mm
Mount: ½ inch screw
Replacement stylus: VMN 20EB
Evolution stylus: VMN 30 EN, VMN 40ML, VMN 50 SH, VMN 60 SLC
Customer reviews
Parfaite
Très bonne restitution des instruments, grave profond, top. Merci pour les conseils de Franck. Le montage se fait finalement bien. Par contre ma rega planar 2 répète tjs à 2 endroits du disque. Je n'arrive pas à savoir pourquoi. Malgré un réglage au top et à 2,20 grammes, requis max. Je trouve une meilleur que la rega bias 2 qui était trop douce.
Restitution parfaite
Je re-découvre mes vinyles avec cette cellule, les sons sont clairs et parfaitement restitués que ce soit en niveau faible ou élevé. Je recommande.
shure versus audio-technica
En remplacement d'une vieille (mais encore très correcte) cellule SHURE M75ED montée sur une THORENS TD165 1ère époque, voici mon avis:
- montage très simple de la cellule sur le porte-cellule (évidemment, il faut avoir gardé les vis format THORENS). De même, réglage très simple (c'est un des avantages des THORENS).
- par rapport à la shure cette AT va plus loin et dans tout le spectre sonore. Beaucoup plus de précision, et de profondeur.
Du coup, je suis plutôt content de mon achat (mais je garde tout de même la shure, qui est une bonne cellule)
Cellule VM520 AT
Belle musicalité.
Révèle les secrets de vos vinyles
Le registre est bien présent, des graves au aigus.
Diamant exposé. (attention aux fausses manœuvres)