Dual Moving Coil Stereo Cartridge

AT-ART20

Overview

A new realm of analogue 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 analogue sound reproduction and optimise 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.

Excellence

The AT-ART20 has been designated an Audio-Technica Excellence Product, a recognition that identifies products that meet our highest standards of high-fidelity performance.

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.

All sonic details carefully and accurately reproduced

Emotional Sound Quality

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.

Made with high-quality materials

Exceptional Build

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 aluminium base, titanium housing, and elastomer undercover. The unique combination of these materials minimises resonance.

Utilizing Fukui Prefecture’s world-class technology in cartridges

Design That Expresses a Sense of Life and Dynamism

Precision-machined titanium with polished finish By utilising 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 realised 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.

Cartridge Finished in Japan

Magnetic Core MC with a Superb Sound

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. 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.

Strengthened cantilever improves high-frequency characteristics

Lighter and More Responsive with a New Stylus/Cantilever Assembly

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