Audio-Technica AT-ART20 Cartridge

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 analog sound reproduction and optimize 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.

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.

Unprecedented, Emotional Sound Quality

All sonic details carefully and accurately reproduced

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.

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 aluminum base, titanium housing, and elastomer undercover. The unique combination of these materials minimizes resonance.

Design That Expresses a Sense of Life and Dynamism

Utilizing Fukui Prefecture’s world-class technology in cartridges

Precision-machined titanium with polished finish
By utilizing 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 realized 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.

Magnetic Core MC with a Superb Sound

Cartridge finished in Japan

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. 

Lighter and More Responsive with a New Stylus/Cantilever Assembly

Strengthened cantilever improves high-frequency characteristics

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.

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.