Audio-Technica VM510CB
The VM510CB brings rich, extended bass, sonorous vocals and a generous soundstage to entry-level vinyl playback. LowBeats found its tracking unusually capable for a conical stylus, with a balanced, subtly lively presentation that remains especially forgiving of worn records. Easy compatibility with medium-mass tonearms adds to its appeal as a confident, practical MM upgrade.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
84/100
Features Usability
91/100
Value for Money
90/100
Pros
Exceptionally strong tracking for a conical-stylus cartridge, with low high-frequency impulse distortion.
Balanced sound with sonorous vocals, rich extended bass, and a generous soundstage.
Forgiving playback on scratched or worn records, and well suited to common medium-mass tonearms.
Cons
Fine-detail retrieval and airy presentation trail the VM520EB, which costs only modestly more.
Measured treble rise can lend the presentation a slightly bright character.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
The VM510CB is described as tonally balanced and musically satisfying, with especially attractive vocal tone and rich, extended bass. Its conical stylus delivers unusually strong tracking, while the presentation remains spacious and forgiving of worn records.
Overall Sound
88/100
LowBeats found the VM510CB tonally well balanced, despite a measured high-frequency rise that was not especially apparent in listening. Voices had sonority and beautiful tone, while bass was described as rich and extended; fine resolution is more limited than with more advanced stylus profiles.
Tracking Retrieval
94/100
Tracking was a major strength in the review, which called its 120-micrometre result sensational and its overall tracking ability fantastic. Measurements also showed surprisingly low high-frequency impulse distortion, and the conical profile was notably forgiving of scratched records, though ultimate fine-detail retrieval is limited.
Soundstage Imaging
88/100
On Mahler's Fifth Symphony, the cartridge produced a generous soundstage alongside convincing timpani weight. The supplied review gives less detail about image precision and depth layering, but its spatial presentation was clearly positive.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
The standard half-inch-mount moving-magnet design is a practical fit for many turntables, particularly those using medium-mass arms.
Tonearm Compatibility
91/100
LowBeats says the VM510CB is ideally suited to the medium-mass tonearms commonly used today, including Rega's 100, 200, and 300 series. Its 5 mV output and conventional MM loading requirements also make it straightforward to partner with a typical moving-magnet phono stage.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
84/100
The supplied review concentrates on measurements and listening results rather than assembly quality or long-term durability. The VM510CB uses a conventional bonded 0.6 mil conical stylus on an aluminium cantilever, but there is no direct reviewer commentary on fit, finish, or robustness.
Value for Money
90/100
At roughly €100–€119, LowBeats considers the VM510CB a very decent cartridge with good measurements that competes extremely well with other entry-level options. Its combination of strong tracking, balanced tonality, and scratch tolerance makes it a persuasive choice for listeners who do not require maximum fine-detail resolution.
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Specifications
- Cartridge & Stylus
- 20-20,000 Hz
- Frequency Response
- 25 dB (1 kHz)
- Channel Separation
- 23°
- Vertical Tracking Angle
- 1.8-2.2 g (2.0 g standard)
- Vertical Tracking Force
- Bonded round shank
- Stylus Construction
- 47,000 ohms
- Recommended Load Impedance
- 2,700 ohms (1 kHz)
- Coil Impedance
- 800 ohms
- DC Resistance
- 460 mH (1 kHz)
- Coil Inductance
- 5.0 mV (at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec)
- Output Voltage
- 1.5 dB (1 kHz)
- Output Channel Balance
- 0.6 mil conical
- Stylus Shape
- Aluminum pipe
- Cantilever
- 35 x 10-6 cm/dyne
- Static Compliance
- 8 x 10-6 cm/dyne (100 Hz)
- Dynamic Compliance
- Half-inch
- Mounting
- 17.3 mm (0.7") H x 17.0 mm (0.7") W x 28.2 mm (1.1") D
- Dimensions
- Six cartridge installations screws (5mm x 2, 8mm x 2 and 10mm x 2), two washers, two round nuts
- Accessories Included
- Half-inch mount
- Mounting Feature
- 100-200 pF
- Recommended Load Capacitance
- VMN10CB
- Replacement Stylus
- 0.6 mil
- Stylus Size
- VM Type
- Type
- 6.4 g (0.2 oz)
Manufacturer's Description — Audio-Technica
VM510CB
The VM510CB conical stylus cartridge is the entry-level 500 Series model in Audio-Technica’s new VM cartridge line – a line that harks back to A-T’s early days as a manufacturer primarily of high-end phono cartridges, while also incorporating today’s advanced technology. Like all VM cartridges, the VM510CB is equipped with dual magnets that are positioned to match the left and right channels in the stereo record groove for outstanding channel separation and extended frequency response. The cartridge’s 0.6 mil conical bonded stylus tracks the center of the record groove for reliable performance and excellent fidelity. Includes mounting hardware.
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Authorized dealers for Audio-Technica VM510CB
- 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