Audio-Technica AT-ART1000x
The Audio-Technica AT-ART1000x delivers forensic detail, a richly textured midrange and wide, deep imaging without sacrificing tonal neutrality. StereoNET praised its controlled bass, speed and silky treble, while Tracking Angle found its Direct Power design exceptionally open, dynamic and faithful to each record’s character.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
96/100
Build Quality
93/100
Features Usability
82/100
Value for Money
91/100
Pros
Deep, tightly controlled bass, fast clean mids and smooth, non-sibilant treble.
Expansive, convincingly three-dimensional soundstage with precise, life-sized image placement.
Exceptional retrieval, transient speed and tracking performance, supported by quiet backgrounds.
Cons
Its very low output demands a quiet, high-gain, current-drive or step-up-transformer-equipped phono stage.
Zenith alignment can be difficult because the stylus and cantilever are not especially easy to see.
The stylus is not user-replaceable, requiring Audio-Technica servicing or its exchange program.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 96/100
Reviewers portray the AT-ART1000x as an unusually transparent yet musically full-bodied moving-coil cartridge. Its exceptional resolution, fast and controlled dynamics, quiet backgrounds, deep spatial presentation and natural tonal color make it suited to reference-level systems.
Overall Sound
96/100
Stereophile found a slightly warmer, fuller-bodied presentation with remarkable transparency, clear bass and vivid cymbal color without harshness. StereoNET praised its deep, tightly controlled bass, clean fast midrange and smooth treble, while Tracking Angle heard neutral balance, rich midrange texture, lightning-fast transients and an ability to let each recording speak for itself.
Tracking Retrieval
95/100
StereoNET reports that the cartridge tracks extremely well and remained untroubled by demanding material, combining forensic retrieval with strong dynamic impact. Its special line-contact stylus and boron cantilever support the consistently reported resolution, while Stereophile was impressed by exceptionally quiet apparent record surfaces and fine low-level transparency.
Soundstage Imaging
96/100
Spatial performance drew especially strong praise. Stereophile heard a deep, focused soundstage of exceptional clarity, StereoNET described life-sized images placed convincingly in space, and Tracking Angle reported an expansive orchestral stage that was both wide and deep.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 82/100
Tonearm compatibility / system fit.
Tonearm Compatibility
82/100
This is a specialist low-output moving-coil cartridge intended for ambitious analogue systems and an appropriate high-gain or current-drive phono stage. It worked flawlessly in Stereophile's relatively high-mass Brinkmann arm, but Tracking Angle notes that zenith setup can be difficult because the cantilever and stylus position are not especially easy to see.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
93/100
The AT-ART1000x is presented as a carefully made flagship, with a titanium body, resonance-managed aluminum housing, solid boron cantilever and hand-wound PCOCC coils. Reviewers also note the lavish wooden presentation case and painstaking assembly, although the stylus is not user-replaceable and servicing relies on Audio-Technica's exchange program.
Value for Money
91/100
At roughly $5,499 or €5,500, the AT-ART1000x is unquestionably a major purchase, but reviewers see its asking price as competitive in elite moving-coil company. StereoNET considered it comparable with cartridges costing two or three times as much, while Michael Fremer called the price increase modest and stated that he was buying the review sample.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
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Specifications
- Cartridge & Stylus
- 15 - 30,000 Hz
- Frequency Response
- 30 dB (1 kHz)
- Channel Separation
- 19°
- Vertical Tracking Angle
- Refer to “Tracking force information” included in the box.
- Vertical Tracking Force
- ≥ 30 ohms (when head amplifier connected)
- Recommended Load Impedance
- 3.5 ohms (1 kHz)
- Coil Impedance
- 3.5 ohms
- DC Resistance
- ≤ 1 μH (1 kHz)
- Coil Inductance
- 0.22 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.)
- Output Voltage
- 0.5 dB (1 kHz)
- Output Channel Balance
- Special line contact stylus
- Stylus Shape
- 0.26 mm (0.010") diameter solid boron
- Cantilever
- 20 × 10–6 cm/dyne
- Static Compliance
- 9 × 10–6 cm/dyne (100 Hz)
- Dynamic Compliance
- 17.3 mm (0.68") × 17.0 mm (0.67") × 25.5 mm (1.0") (H × W × D)
- Dimensions
- ・Case (wooden box) ・Non-magnetic screwdriver ・Washer × 2 ・Protector ・Cartridge installation screws (M2.6) (5.0 mm × 2, 8.0 mm × 2, 10.0 mm × 2, 12.0 mm × 2) ・Brush
- Accessories Included
- M2.6 × 2
- Threaded Hole
- 1.5 × 0.28 mil
- Stylus Curvature Radius
- Direct power system, non-magnetic core coil (MC) type
- Type
- 11 g (0.39 oz)
- Weight
- For product improvement, the product is subject to modification without notice.
Manufacturer's Description — Audio-Technica
This next-generation cartridge takes the philosophy and design of the innovation AT-ART1000 to a new level, with a more refined direct power system for improved efficiency and enhanced bass reproduction. Developed and manufactured in Japan, utilizing cutting-edge materials and design elements, the AT-ART1000X delivers the ultimate listening experience to audiophiles around the world.The AT-ART1000X has been designated an Audio-Technica Excellence Product, a recognition that identifies products that meet our highest standards of high-fidelity performance.
This next-generation cartridge takes the philosophy and design of the innovation AT-ART1000 to a new level, with a more refined direct power system for improved efficiency and enhanced bass reproduction. Developed and manufactured in Japan, utilizing cutting-edge materials and design elements, the AT-ART1000X delivers the ultimate listening experience to audiophiles around the world.
The AT-ART1000X has been designated an Audio-Technica Excellence Product, a recognition that identifies products that meet our highest standards of high-fidelity performance.
Like its predecessor, the AT-ART1000X features a direct power system that places the dual moving coil directly above the stylus tip, ensuring that the audio quality does not suffer the negative effects normally introduced by the cantilever's length and material type. Having the coils move in such close proximity to the stylus tip allows the cartridge to vividly render even the most subtle sonic details and provide unsurpassed transient response. The newly developed coils for this model are rectangular, however, not round, in order to position more of their surface area in the magnetic field. This enables the cartridge to more accurately reproduce strong modulations, resulting in improved output voltage and an expanded low-frequency range.
Each non-magnetic core coil is constructed of 20 μm (0.79 mil) diameter PCOCC (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting) wire handwound eight turns to create a 1.1 mm × 0.6 mm (0.043" × 0.024") rectangle. The coils are contained in ultra-thin 25 μm (0.98 mil) special film and placed in the tiny 0.5 mm (0.020") gap of a powerful magnetic circuit, enabling each coil to generate an output voltage of 0.22 mV with a coil impedance of 3.5 Ω, despite having a non-magnetic core.
The AT-ART1000X retains the high-performance line contact stylus and solid boron cantilever from the previous model to ensure an extremely accurate reading of the record groove. The base that supports the specialized magnetic circuit and vibration system is made from titanium. This sturdy base is instrumental in providing consistent playback, and works in combination with the cartridge’s hard plastic cover and aluminum housing to disperse resonance that negatively affects the sound quality. A special coating protects the magnetic circuit from corrosion for stable performance throughout the life of the cartridge.
Finally, the body of this new model features threaded mounting holes, making the cartridge much easier to install. The included screws alone are enough to mount the cartridge to a headshell or integrated tonearm.
Please Note: AT-ART1000X’s stylus assembly is not field-replaceable, but Audio-Technica offers a fee-based Moving Coil Exchange Program to properly service your moving coil cartridge.
Unique Direct Power System
The innovative direct power system developed for the AT-ART1000, which places coils on top of the stylus to capture the subtlest sonic details, has been updated to include rectangular non-magnetic core coils for enhanced efficiency and extended low-frequency output.
The innovative direct power system developed for the AT-ART1000, which places coils on top of the stylus to capture the subtlest sonic details, has been updated to include rectangular non-magnetic core coils for enhanced efficiency and extended low-frequency output.
Premium Stylus and Cantilever
The cartridge’s special line contact stylus offers premium high-frequency response with minimum abrasion to greatly reduce distortion and record wear. Affixed to a solid boron cantilever (0.26 mm diameter), the stylus reads the record groove with extreme accuracy.
The cartridge’s special line contact stylus offers premium high-frequency response with minimum abrasion to greatly reduce distortion and record wear. Affixed to a solid boron cantilever (0.26 mm diameter), the stylus reads the record groove with extreme accuracy.
What the Pros are Saying
"The ART1000X is a tough act to follow, especially for $5500. I know that's a great deal of money, but even if you have to put it on a card, once you hear it you won't regret the purchase, I do not think. I returned the original review sample. I'm buying this one!" - Michael Fremer Tracking Angle
"The ART1000X is a tough act to follow, especially for $5500. I know that's a great deal of money, but even if you have to put it on a card, once you hear it you won't regret the purchase, I do not think. I returned the original review sample. I'm buying this one!" - Michael Fremer Tracking Angle
Threaded Mounting Holes
The body of the AT-ART1000X features threaded mounting holes to make installation a breeze. Use the included screws to quickly mount the cartridge to a headshell or integrated tonearm.
The body of the AT-ART1000X features threaded mounting holes to make installation a breeze. Use the included screws to quickly mount the cartridge to a headshell or integrated tonearm.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Audio-Technica AT-ART1000x
- The Audio Association — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- A1 Futureshop — online and in-store — North Rocks, New South Wales, Australia (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Accesory Jack — online and in-store — New Territories, Hong Kong (website)
- Acclaim Sound and Light — online and in-store — North Bay, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- Adorama — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
and 235 more verified dealers