Audio-Technica VM540ML Moving Magnet Cartridge,Red

Product Information

High frequency distortion is lower in the VM540ML despite the same stylus. The increased mass from the moving coils is responsible for this. Both the VM540ML and VM95ML have bodies made from a polymer resin. It feels a lot like plastic, but in theory has some anti-resonance properties beyond ‘poor man’s plastic’, the full extent of which I am yet to discover. Switching to the metal-bodied VM740ML with the same stylus was a revelation in that it showed how much of an improvement the better generator ‘could’ be, given a better platform on which to do its job. My observations so far are that the sound color is the same as that of the VM530EN, but it has less issues with IGD and the channel separation seems to be a bit better, resulting in a sound stage with more width and depth.

I seldom reach for Amanda McBroom’s Dreaming recording these days. But there was a time when this LP was played on every turntable spinning at every hifi show around the globe. At low frequency, the stylus shape is not what dominates. The design of the cantilever, magnet and rubber assembly are the keys to getting this performance. As an example of this, the Audio-Technica AT-OC9/MLII performs better in these highly modulated groove tests, for reasons that are not clear, using information published in Hi Fi News and Record Review and independent measurements by John Elision in a news group. Distortion at 10kHz takes into account only the 2nd harmonic but that is the dominant one. The results are again state of the art at 0.9% in the worst case right channel at 2.0grams with only a slight reduction at 2.2grams. This is state of the art and again a result of the stylus shape.I did not manage to provoke sibilance or inner groove distortion worth mentioning from either the Ortofon 2M Blue or the or the VM540ML. Ortofon brought in distress. The 740 has depth and warmth, the slimmer 540 is still the precision and fun. I found that the Ortofon 2M Blue and the VM540ML both provide a high level of details, dynamics and openness. The biggest difference I found between the two is that the VM540ML sounds smoother and has more soul than the Ortofon 2M Blue. In my ears, the 2M Blue sounds slightly crisp whereas the VM540ML sounds smooth as silk.

There is a lot more dynamic and control. Punchier bass. More accuracy in the mid-range. The music opens up and the musicians become more present. The whole music listening experience is more engaging. The increase in sonic performance is fascinating.As far as a shoot-out between the VM540ML and the 1042 is concerned, my money would be on the 1042. That one I do own and like an awful lot. As I haven't done, and can't now do, a one-on-one I must speak on the basis of the former as I remember it. I would say they share the same strengths: they're both highly resolved, dig deep into the details, are excellent in terms of dynamics, both macro and micro and very agile, rendering whatever is played with great involvement. I think, however, that the 1042 has a little more of everything compared to the VM540ML. But as an affordable turntable that work well for both music listening and DJs, the LP120 is almost without competition. And that is probably the main reason it is such a big hit among vinyl collectors and has been so for more or less a decade now. LP120 Features And 1984 to complete a triplicate was also the title of George Orwell’s classic novel about the shape, form and function of the absolutist, totalitarian state. It’s hard for analogue loving music lovers not to fail to notice the symbolism between CDs arrival and Orwell’s classic novel. The technical similarity between the Audio-Technica VM740ML and the smaller 540ML is great - it's just the same needle slot with the elaborate and comparatively sharp MicroLine cut. All the more astonishing is the discernible sound difference. The 740 is the cultured, unobtrusive variant to the livelier 540. There are certainly some situations in which the more restrained gameplay of the 740s is the better alternative. But with linear chains - and with a largely neutral room acoustics - we definitely have to recommend the VM540ML." The 2M Blue has a higher output level than the VM540ML and it is definitely noticeable. When I swap from the 2M Blue to the VM540ML, I have to turn the volume knob quite a bit to get the same music volume.

A permalloy centre shield plate enables the effective separation of left and right channels, suppressing electrical crosstalk to below 40dB. This is similar to the actual crosstalk value found in the grooves of the record itself. Features: I honestly think the VM540ML is a complete bargain. So please prepare yourself for a very favorable review. The VM540ML shares the same overall character of the AT440MLa/b, with a very precise presentation of musical material, but was able to better the former models in some characteristics. Audio-Technica’s internationally-patented Dual Magnet design replicates the structure of the cutter head.Moving on to the right channel only grooves, we see that the vertical and lateral are out of phase. Now the left should ideally have no output. From the graph above, you see below 8kHz the process is only good enough for a 20dB (10 to 1) separation. As you look at the two channels of the separation graphs (bottom of graph above), note how they deviate more at 8kHz which is when the left and right channel (top of graph) start to split. I am sure there are systems and personal preference that will make the 2M Blue a better match and choice than the VM540ML. But in my ears and on my system, the 2M Blue simply becomes too crisp and too in my face. Especially in the midrange. Does anybody actually have experience comparing the two, and have you found differences/preferences between the two?