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Audio-Technica AT-VM750xSH/H
AT-VM750xSH/H
The AT-VM750xSH/H combo kit includes the AT-VM750xSH Shibata dual moving magnet cartridge premounted on the AT-LT10 universal 1/2"-mount headshell. The AT-VM750xSH is part of the updated AT-VMx series, which introduces material and design changes to further refine the VM sound, offering responsive playback that is especially sensitive to the dynamism of musical expression.
The AT-VM750xSH/H combo kit includes the AT-VM750xSH Shibata dual moving magnet cartridge premounted on the AT-LT10 universal 1/2"-mount headshell. The AT-VM750xSH is part of the updated AT-VMx series, which introduces material and design changes to further refine the VM sound, offering responsive playback that is especially sensitive to the dynamism of musical expression.
Highly Efficient Generator
The paratoroidal coil construction of the cartridge’s generator – two PCUHD coils per channel, one stacked behind the other – greatly improves electromagnetic performance, while a slight reduction in coil turns* enhances transient response for clean, lifelike sound.*Compared to VM series cartridges.
The paratoroidal coil construction of the cartridge’s generator – two PCUHD coils per channel, one stacked behind the other – greatly improves electromagnetic performance, while a slight reduction in coil turns* enhances transient response for clean, lifelike sound.
*Compared to VM series cartridges.
Solid Boron Cantilever and Metal Body
The three premium VMx models (AT-VM760x, AT-VM750x, AT-VM745x) feature a solid boron cantilever. Naturally lightweight and rigid, boron transmits signals from the record groove faster than an aluminum cantilever. The result is more accurate sound reproduction that’s particularly noticeable on dynamic musical passages. The die-cast aluminum body reduces vibrations and resonance.
The three premium VMx models (AT-VM760x, AT-VM750x, AT-VM745x) feature a solid boron cantilever. Naturally lightweight and rigid, boron transmits signals from the record groove faster than an aluminum cantilever. The result is more accurate sound reproduction that’s particularly noticeable on dynamic musical passages. The die-cast aluminum body reduces vibrations and resonance.
Interchangeable Styli
Since all AT-VMx and VM Series cartridges share the same body design and have a removable stylus, you can use almost any AT-VMNx or VMN replacement stylus* with any VMx or VM cartridge for easy experimentation with sound characteristics.AT-VMN10xCB (conical/bonded/aluminum cantilever)AT-VMN20xEB (elliptical/bonded/aluminum cantilever)AT-VMN30xEN (elliptical/nude/aluminum cantilever)AT-VMN40xML (microlinear/nude/aluminum cantilever)AT-VMN45xML (microlinear/nude/boron cantilever)AT-VMN50xSH (Shibata/nude/boron cantilever)AT-VMN60xSL (special line contact/nude/boron cantilever)* Excludes mono models
Since all AT-VMx and VM Series cartridges share the same body design and have a removable stylus, you can use almost any AT-VMNx or VMN replacement stylus* with any VMx or VM cartridge for easy experimentation with sound characteristics.
AT-VMN10xCB (conical/bonded/aluminum cantilever)
AT-VMN20xEB (elliptical/bonded/aluminum cantilever)
AT-VMN30xEN (elliptical/nude/aluminum cantilever)
AT-VMN40xML (microlinear/nude/aluminum cantilever)
AT-VMN45xML (microlinear/nude/boron cantilever)
AT-VMN50xSH (Shibata/nude/boron cantilever)
AT-VMN60xSL (special line contact/nude/boron cantilever)
* Excludes mono models
All in the Design
The Vertical Dual Magnet (VM) design closely mirrors the cutter head used to make the vinyl master.
All in the Design
The standard cutter head (used to record the vinyl master) uses two transducer coils, mounted perpendicular to each other at 45° from horizontal, to cut the channel: one in each wall of the 90° record groove.
All in the Design
The AT-VMx cartridges use the same 90° V-Shape configuration as the cutter head. This way, the cartridge achieves accurate tracking, excellent channel separation, high definition of the stereo image and extreme clarity over the entire audio spectrum.
Premium Models
These Premium moving magnet cartridges feature die-cast aluminum housings which reduce vibrations and resonance as well as boron cantilevers (on 45xML, 50xSH, and 70xSL models) which more quickly transmit vibrations from the record groove.
Base Models
These VMx base models feature durable low-resonance polymer housings and aluminum cantilevers while delivering the AT-VMx expansive soundstage.
Mono Models
These VMx mono models feature durable low-resonance polymer housings and aluminum cantilevers while capturing the maximum detail from mono and 78 rpm records.
What Shape to Choose?
The purpose of a stylus is to ride along the record groove capturing movement, which is then transferred into an electrical signal within the cartridge. Audio-Technica produces styli in five different shapes (Conical, Elliptical, Microlinear, Shibata, and Special Line Contact) that make contact with the record groove and capture movement in different ways, creating unique sound characteristics.
Conical Styli
The conical stylus is the simplest and most widely used stylus. Its spherical tip normally touches the center of the record groove walls. A conical stylus works best for low- to moderately-priced turntables and audio setups. It is also ideal for mono (vinyl with one channel) and older 78 RPM records. However, its shape prevents it from making detailed contact with much of the record groove walls, resulting in less fidelity.
Elliptical Styli
The elliptical stylus has two radii, the front radius being wider than the side radius. The front radius rides in the center of the groove like the conical, while the smaller side radius makes more contact with the groove walls. More contact with the record groove walls delivers a higher level of fidelity.
Microlinear Styli
The Microlinear stylus almost exactly duplicates the shape of the cutting stylus that produces the original master disc (the disc used to create the pressed vinyl record). This likeness enables the Microlinear stylus to track portions of the groove other styli cannot reach, resulting in extremely accurate tracing of high-frequency passages and a flat frequency response within the audible range. The unique multilevel shape also wears more evenly, greatly extending record and stylus life.
Shibata Styli
The Shibata stylus was originally developed to play four-channel (quadraphonic) vinyl records. The Shibata stylus has two radii, similar to an elliptical stylus. However, the radii of a Shibata stylus allow for more surface contact and effective pickup of ultra-high frequencies with less groove stress and distortion.
Special Line Contact Styli
The special line contact stylus is shaped to track the record groove with the highest level of precision, resulting in excellent high-frequency response, low distortion and minimum abrasion. The special line contact stylus makes more surface contact than any other stylus shape. It should be noted that due to its high-fidelity, the line contact stylus may produce more noise on heavily worn records. The line contact tip is used on our higher-end cartridges.
Round or Square Shank?
The stylus shank is the piece that connects the tip to the cantilever. A round shank can be more difficult to align when it is affixed to the cantilever. Proper alignment is needed in order to position the stylus tip precisely in the record groove.
Square shank styli cost more to make than round shank styli, but mounting them in laser-cut square holes in the cantilever locks them in precise alignment with the record groove.
Bonded or Nude?
In a bonded (or jointed) stylus, a diamond tip is glued on a metal shank that is itself glued into the hole of the cantilever. While less expensive to manufacture, this construction may increase the mass of the overall tip and affect transient response compared with a nude stylus where the tip and shank are constructed from a single piece of diamond.
Nude styli, shaped from whole diamonds, are more costly than bonded styli. Their lower mass allows nude styli to track more accurately. Also, since our nude styli are grain-oriented, with their longest-wearing faces touching the record surface, they last longer.
Our Story
In the early 1960s at Tokyo’s Bridgestone Museum of Art, curator Hideo Matsushita hosted LP listening concerts, where people would experience vinyl records played on high-quality audio equipment. Matsushita was moved by the positive reactions guests had to the music, but was frustrated that the expense of high-fidelity listening prevented many people from experiencing it.
In 1962, Matsushita founded Audio-Technica with the vision of producing high-quality audio for everyone. And following this vision, he soon created the first truly affordable phono cartridge, the AT-1, in the company’s small flat in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
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Professional Reviews 89/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
91/100
Build Quality
88/100
Features Usability
85/100
Value for Money
85/100
The Audio-Technica AT-VM750xSH/H brings exceptional detail retrieval and a balanced, non-fatiguing treble to serious moving-magnet setups. Its nude Shibata stylus uncovers subtle groove information while delivering convincing lows, clean highs and confident tracking. United States of Analog found it especially rewarding on well-set-up mid-priced turntables, making familiar vinyl feel freshly illuminated.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Extracts unusually rich low-level detail and subtle groove information, making familiar records sound newly revealing.
Delivers balanced sound with strong, varied bass and clear highs that avoid harshness or fatigue.
Tracks confidently without a perceived increase in noise floor, pops or clicks in the reviewer's system.
Threaded cartridge-body inserts make headshell mounting easier than conventional nut-and-bolt fitting.
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Cons
The Shibata profile is more demanding of accurate alignment and setup experience to achieve its full performance.
Its price may be difficult to justify for owners of lower-cost turntables, where it can equal the deck's purchase price.
Some systems may reveal more surface noise with the highly resolving Shibata stylus, although the reviewer did not experience this.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
The review describes a balanced, pleasing presentation with strong low-frequency variety and clear highs that avoid fatigue. Its Shibata stylus is credited with unusually high information retrieval and stable groove behavior, though the review does not directly assess image width or depth.
Overall Sound
93/100
The reviewer calls the sound pleasing, balanced, and simply great. Bass is described as very good and varied, while the treble remains clear without becoming harsh, headache-inducing, or unsettling.
Tracking Retrieval
94/100
The cartridge is said to track great, with no noticed increase in pops, clicks, or the general noise floor. The reviewer also hears more subtle detail and groove information than from comparison MicroLine-equipped cartridges, making familiar records feel newly revealing.
Soundstage Imaging
80/100
The review does not provide direct observations about soundstage width, depth, image focus, or layering. It does suggest strong clarity and retrieval, but spatial performance is not specifically described.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 85/100
Tonearm compatibility / system fit.
Tonearm Compatibility
85/100
As a standard-output moving-magnet design, it can work with conventional MM phono inputs and its threaded body simplifies mounting. However, the reviewer stresses that the Shibata stylus is more exacting to align and is best handled by users already comfortable with cartridge setup.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
88/100
The VMx-series threaded inserts are specifically praised for making installation on a headshell much easier. The nude Shibata stylus and solid boron cantilever indicate a thoughtfully specified assembly, although the review offers little commentary on long-term durability.
Value for Money
85/100
At roughly $369, the reviewer positions it as an upgrade for turntables in the approximately $500 to $1,000 range. The unusually strong detail retrieval versus the reviewer's MicroLine comparisons is encouraging, but the review does not directly judge its value against competing cartridges at the asking price.
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