Published
3rd January 2017
Our history dates back to the early 1960s, when Hideo Matsushita turned his vision into reality with the release of the AT-1 moving-magnet stereo phonograph cartridge. At the time, the AT-1 was seen as a breakthrough, and we’re proud to continue this tradition with the AT-ART1000 Direct Power Stereo Moving Coil Cartridge. Following in the tradition of over fifty years of innovation, the AT-ART1000 represents significant advancements in the field of phono cartridge design. Read on as we take a closer look at our new flagship phono cartridge.
Sonic Advancements
The AT-ART1000 features an innovative, audiophile design, setting it apart from other mass-produced cartridges. Unlike conventional phono cartridges, the AT-ART1000’s moving coils are placed on top of the stylus tip, rather than at the base of the cantilever. This eliminates the negative sonic effects caused by the cantilever’s length and its material. The result is a pure, more accurate audio reproduction and unsurpassed transient response.
The AT-ART1000 cartridge was a recent recipient of a CES 2017 Innovation Honoree Award, which honors outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products.
Unmatched Quality
The AT-ART1000’s two moving coils are made of 20 µm diameter PCOCC (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting) wire. Each is 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. This level of precision requires that each cartridge be assembled by Audio-Technica’s most skilled technicians.
Each AT-ART1000 is individually tested and verified to ensure optimum performance and long-time listening satisfaction. Because each cartridge must be handmade, worldwide availability will be limited.