Audio-Technica today announced the introduction of its new flagship phono cartridge, the AT-ART1000 Direct Power Stereo Moving Coil Cartridge. The AT-ART1000 is an innovative design that has been refined over the years to culminate in an exceptional hand crafted high-end cartridge. The ART1000’s Direct Power System places its dual moving coils directly on top of the stylus tip, enabling the cartridge to deliver extraordinary fidelity, musical detail and transient response. “The AT-ART1000 represents a significant sonic and technological advancement not just for Audio-Technica but for the entire field of phono cartridge design,” said Crystal Griffith, Audio-Technica Marketing Manager. “By placing the moving coils, which convert the motion of the stylus and cantilever into electrical signals, directly on top of the stylus rather than at the base of the cantilever – the way it’s done with conventional cartridge designs – the negative sonic effects of the cantilever are eliminated, resulting in pure, more accurate audio reproduction.” Each of the ART1000’s two moving coils is made of 20 µm diameter PCOCC (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting) wire, wound eight turns to form two loops only 0.9 mm in diameter. The coils are placed in an extremely small (0.6 mm) gap of a powerful magnetic circuit, enabling them to generate an 0.2 mV (millivolt) stereo audio signal. The assembly procedure requires extreme precision and must be performed by Audio-Technica’s most skilled technicians. The ART1000 employs a high-performance line-contact stylus and solid boron cantilever for superb accuracy in tracking the record groove. The support base for the magnetic circuit, stylus and cantilever is made from lightweight, highly rigid titanium. The base, and the cartridge’s aluminum housing and hard plastic cover all operate in conjunction to disperse any internal resonances that would otherwise affect sound quality. Each ART1000 is individually tested and verified to ensure optimum performance and long-time listening satisfaction. The total result is a cartridge with exceptional sonic purity, ability to resolve the most subtle musical details and remarkable transient response, combined with a smooth tonal balance with a wide 15 – 30,000 Hz frequency response. The ART1000 delivers rich, natural full-bodied reproduction of vocals and instruments with precise imaging on an immersive soundstage. It’s the ideal complement to the finest turntable setups and analog playback systems. The Audio-Technica AT-ART1000 Direct Power Stereo Moving Coil Cartridge will be available at US$4,999.00. Because each cartridge must be individually handmade, worldwide availability will be limited. Celebrating over 50 years of audio excellence, Audio-Technica is a recognized leader in the development and manufacture of high-quality personal and professional audio equipment. Founded in Japan in 1962 by Hideo Matsushita, the company made its name by manufacturing state-of-the-art phonograph cartridges and tonearms. Today, Audio-Technica is a worldwide group of companies devoted to creating high-performance microphones, headphones, wireless systems, mixers, turntables, phono cartridges and other electronic products. A reputation for quality, durability, performance and value has made Audio-Technica products the first choice for many of today’s top musical artists and audio engineers, and for discerning listeners everywhere. Drawing from its audiophile heritage, Audio-Technica remains dedicated to providing music enthusiasts with great-sounding, innovative audio gear, including the award-winning QuietPoint® active noise-cancelling headphones, popular ATH-M50x monitor headphones, versatile USB microphones, and new Hi-Res Audio headphones and high-fidelity gaming headsets. Learn more at www.audio-technica.com. — For more information on the complete range of Audio-Technica products, contact Karen Emerson or Crystal Griffith, Audio-Technica U.S., Inc., 1221 Commerce Drive, Stow, OH 44224. Tel: (330) 686-2600; Fax: (330) 688-3752. — For further information regarding product availability and pricing in Europe, contact Tom Harrold (tharrold@audio-technica-europe.com) or visit our media centre at www.starscreamcommunications.com.