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Audio Technica VM540ML Dual Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge with MicroLine Stylus (Black/Red)

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 973 ratings

$377.93
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VM540ML Cartridge
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Purchase options and add-ons

  • Product Type: Audio Or Video
  • Package Quantity: 1
  • Para-toroidal coils improve generating efficiency
  • Aluminium tapered cantilever

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Product Information

Technical Details

Additional Information

Product details

  • Original Release Date ‏ : ‎ 2017
  • Is discontinued by manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Product dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.16 x 5.08 x 7.62 cm; 6.52 Grams
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ 31 October 2016
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Audio-Technica
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01MEI1RPC
  • Item Model Number ‏ : ‎ VM540ML
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 973 ratings

From the manufacturer


Specifications
  • Type: VM
  • Frequency Response: 20 to 27,000 Hz
  • Output Voltage: 4.0mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec.)
  • Channel Separation: 28dB (1kHz)
  • Output Balance: 1.0dB (1kHz)
  • Tracking Force: 1.8 to 2.2g (2.0g standard)
  • Coil Impedance: 2.7k ohms (1kHz)
  • DC Resistance: 800 ohms
  • Load Impedance: 47k ohms
  • Load Capacitance: 100 to 200pF
  • Coil Inductance: 460mH (1kHz)
  • Static Compliance: 40×10 -6 cm/dyne
  • Dynamic Compliance: 10×10 -6 cm/dyne (100Hz)
  • Stylus: Nude MicroLine (2.2×0.12mil)
  • Cantilever: Aluminum tapered pipe
  • Vertical Tracking Angle: 23°
  • Dimensions: H17.3×W17.0×D28.2mm
  • Weight: 6.4g
  • Replacement Stylus (Sold Separately): VMN40ML
  • Accessories Included: Four cartridge installation screws (5 mm x 2, 10 mm x 2), two washers, two hexagon nuts, non-magnetic screwdriver, brush, lead wire set

Audio-Technica VM540ML

MicroLine Nude Stereo Turntable Cartridge

The VM540ML MicroLine stylus cartridge is the premier 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 VM540ML 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 MicroLine stylus allows it to trace the record groove with incredible accuracy, resulting in nuanced audio reproduction that elliptical and conical styli simply can’t match. The stylus’s multilevel shape also wears better than other styli, while reducing the wear on your records. Includes mounting hardware.

Para-toroidal coils improve generating efficiency and offers superb linearity, since leakage of magnetic flux in this continuous and unitised magnetic circuit is low. Permeability of the cores is also optimised through the use of laminated cores.

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.

  • VM dual magnet cartridge with MicroLine stylus
  • Aluminum cantilever
  • Paratoroidal coils improve generating efficiency
  • Center shield plate between the left and right channels reduces crosstalk
  • Durable low-resonance polymer cartridge housing

A-T’s Dual Magnet Design Replicates the Structure of the Cutter Head

Instead of using a single, large magnet, the two magnets are arranged in the shape of a 'V'. The two magnets are positioned precisely to match the positions of the left and right channels in the stereo groove walls. Consequently, the VM design ensures outstanding channel separation, extended frequency response and superb tracking.

MicroLine Stylus

MicroLine profile diamond stylus offers high frequency response with less wear and distortion than elliptical or conventional linear contact styli.

500 Series

Standard cartridge body fitted with the para-toroidal coils, centre shield plate, and 6N-OFC coil wire which is the same as 700 series.

Replacement & Upgrade Styli

The cartridge becomes worn after an extended period of play, even the finest diamond stylus. Our VM cartridges can be used again for a long time only by replacing the stylus. Our renewed VM cartridges have 7 styli and 3 types of bodies. Not only it is not necessary to buy the cartridge itself, but also you experience the enjoyment of upgrade or various combination of VM cartridges.

Trusted by Professionals

Whether it’s on the boardroom table, the stage or in the studio, Audio-Technica products are trusted time and again by industry professionals looking for reliable, lovingly developed audio products for all budgets.

It’s Audio-Technica’s commitment to innovation, customer service and meticulous design that ensure professionals turn to us to provide solutions in conferencing, houses of worship, broadcasting, live sound, recording studios and beyond.

50 Years of Devotion to Music

For over 50 years Audio-Technica has worked alongside leading figures in sports and music broadcast to develop and hone a range of products that deliver on the highest level.

Audio-Technica have developed and delivered products to power the Grammys, World Cup, Super Bowl, Commonwealth Games as well as every Summer and Winter Games from Atlanta 1996 to Sochi 2014.

A Legacy in Innovation

Founded in 1962 by Hideo Matsushita, Audio-Technica positioned itself immediately as a leader in the manufacture and design of innovative audio products. It’s expertise in innovation quickly spread to various new fields and led to the development of tone arms, microphones and headphones. Audio-Technica soon became a benchmark in those fields. Making history.

A self-made man and audiophile, Hidéo Matsushita was the former Director of the Tokyo Museum of Modern Art. It all started in his workshop, with the hand crafting of stereo cartridges. 50 years later, Audio-Technica has become a global leader in audio innovation.

A Passion for Listening

Humility, passion, creativity and expertise in sound are the core values behind Audio-Technica’s legacy, greatly inspired by its founder - whose imprint on the company’s philosophy is still felt today. Audio-Technica’s passion for listening evolved in the 70’s, when it started designing headphones, building upon a legacy in innovation, meticulous engineering and artistic design.

Today, Audio-Technica’s audio products have become globally synonymous with consistently high sonic performance paired with impeccable build construction and artistic design.

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
973 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers like the sound quality of the turntable. They mention that it has an increase in fidelity, sound depth, clarity, and volume. They also appreciate the clear tracking ability and great stereo separation. Customers also say that the turn table has made a huge improvement on the LP120 from the stock head.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

6 customers mention6 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the sound quality of the turntable. They mention that it has an increase in fidelity, sound depth, clarity, and volume. They also appreciate the improvement on bass and that every detail can easily be heard, even on the most complex, explosive classical music.

"Exceptional clear tracking ability and great stereo separation. Fairly bright so don't go high on added capacitance on your phono stage. Very happy." Read more

"...instead of just swapping out the needle, but what a transformation in the quality of sound my Carbon Evo is outputting." Read more

"...I cannot believe the increase in fidelity, sound depth, clarity that this has had on my system. Do yourself a favour, buy it!..." Read more

"...I can't believe the increase in fidelity, background sound depth, clarity that this has had on my system." Read more

4 customers mention4 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the turntable. They mention that it has made a huge improvement on the LP120 from the stock head, and that it can't believe the increase in fidelity, background sound depth, and clarity.

"...I cannot believe the increase in fidelity, sound depth, clarity that this has had on my system. Do yourself a favour, buy it!..." Read more

"...I can't believe the increase in fidelity, background sound depth, clarity that this has had on my system." Read more

"...Huge improvement on the LP120 from the stock head.Do yourself a favour and wrap your ears around this gem!" Read more

"Massive improvement - Audio Technica VM540ML/H Dual Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge..." Read more

Amazing Upgrade VM540ML
5 Stars
Amazing Upgrade VM540ML
I was looking at upgrading to the Ortofon Blue but in looking into it the VM540ML came with a Microline tip. A lot fiddler upgrade as the cart needs changing instead of just swapping out the needle, but what a transformation in the quality of sound my Carbon Evo is outputting.
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Top reviews from Australia

Reviewed in Australia on 18 September 2023
Style Name: VM540ML CartridgeVerified Purchase
Exceptional clear tracking ability and great stereo separation. Fairly bright so don't go high on added capacitance on your phono stage. Very happy.
Reviewed in Australia on 9 August 2023
Style Name: VM540ML CartridgeVerified Purchase
I was looking at upgrading to the Ortofon Blue but in looking into it the VM540ML came with a Microline tip. A lot fiddler upgrade as the cart needs changing instead of just swapping out the needle, but what a transformation in the quality of sound my Carbon Evo is outputting.
Customer image
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Upgrade VM540ML
Reviewed in Australia on 9 August 2023
I was looking at upgrading to the Ortofon Blue but in looking into it the VM540ML came with a Microline tip. A lot fiddler upgrade as the cart needs changing instead of just swapping out the needle, but what a transformation in the quality of sound my Carbon Evo is outputting.
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Customer image Customer image
Customer imageCustomer image
Reviewed in Australia on 14 July 2023
Style Name: VM540ML/H Combo KitVerified Purchase
Fitted to an Audio Technica LP120USBx, after much research I decided this was the cartridge for me and boy, does it deliver. I cannot believe the increase in fidelity, sound depth, clarity that this has had on my system. Do yourself a favour, buy it! I got the cartridge already fitted to the headshell so I can easily go between cartirdges - not that I would want to! Usual amazing Amazon pricing and prompt delivery from overseas to my door.
Reviewed in Australia on 24 July 2023
Style Name: VM540ML/H Combo KitVerified Purchase
The media could not be loaded.
 Excellent. Indeed, I did not lose money upgrading my Pioneer PLX 500. I can't believe the increase in fidelity, background sound depth, clarity that this has had on my system.
Reviewed in Australia on 7 November 2022
Style Name: VM540ML/H Combo KitVerified Purchase
After doing a substantial amount of research I was keen to obtain this cartridge for my Audio Technica USB 120 turntable.

All reviews said that this cartridge would make a substantial change to the quality of sound from the turntable.

This was TOTALLY correct. Improvement on volume and bass were apparent.

Only downside is the price, but it's worth it.
Reviewed in Australia on 3 May 2023
Style Name: VM540ML CartridgeVerified Purchase
Bought this to replace the stock Pick it Pro, which is a very good cartridge, on the Project Debut Pro turntable which is only 7 months old. Once run in after about 50 hours, all respects of the VM540ML is so good, made me wonder why need MC cartridge, or more expensive cartridges? Every details can easily be heard, even on the most complex, explosive classical music passages, across the whole LP, non distorted!
Reviewed in Australia on 3 January 2023
Style Name: VM540ML/H Combo KitVerified Purchase
Arrived quickly and installed it straight away. Set the tone arm weight and threw on a Radiohead sonic masterpiece……what a huge difference to the range straight out of the box!!!! Huge improvement on the LP120 from the stock head.
Do yourself a favour and wrap your ears around this gem!
Customer image
5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth it!!
Reviewed in Australia on 3 January 2023
Arrived quickly and installed it straight away. Set the tone arm weight and threw on a Radiohead sonic masterpiece……what a huge difference to the range straight out of the box!!!! Huge improvement on the LP120 from the stock head.
Do yourself a favour and wrap your ears around this gem!
Images in this review
Customer image
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Reviewed in Australia on 10 June 2020
Style Name: VM540ML/H Combo KitVerified Purchase
Big improvement over standard base green cartridge supplied with Turntable. Much more dynamic range. Finally enjoying the Audio Technica T/Table now.

Top reviews from other countries

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Richard M
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent choice at a bargain price
Reviewed in Canada on 13 December 2023
Style Name: VM540ML CartridgeVerified Purchase
Several months ago I initiated a search for a new MM cartridge for two vintage Dual turntables. I have both the 701 and the 1237. Both utilize low mass tonearms and have straight aluminum shafts. This is important to know since the attributes of your tonearm are critical when deciding what cartridge might be best for you. Another necessary consideration is whether you can alter your tonearm's VTA manually or not. I cannot.

After much research, I decided to short-list my choices to: Grado Gold III, Ortofon 2M blue or bronze, Audio Technica VM 540 ML or 740 ML, Nagaoka MP-150, 200 or 300, plus the Sumiko Moonstone or Wellfleet. The Denon DL103 was also something that I looked at but I decided to stick with a MM cartridge rather than a MC one. My phono-preamps ( Cambridge Audio 640 and Hegel V10 ) can accommodate either. Both are excellent choices at their respective price points.

If you are looking for a new cartridge, you soon realize that it is rather like a crap shoot. You read the reviews, cross your fingers and hope for the best. I finally settled on the Audio Technica VM 540 ML because I wanted to try a low weight micro-line cartridge. These supposedly provide an enhanced sound stage and they wear less on your vinyl so both the stylus and vinyl last longer. I have tried this cartridge on both of my turntables and have been very impressed. I did not find the high end to be exaggerated as some have suggested but I definitely found that the soundstage was expanded and that more, and more pleasing, information reached my ears. The musicality is exceptional, better than I expected and I was hoping for a noticeable improvement over my existing cartridges: Ortofon 2M silver with a 2M blue stylus and an old/ancient ADC XLM with a new Tonar stylus. Both were quite nice and very acceptable, until I tried the 540 ML. In my systems, this is a really wonderful choice. If your set-up is similar, you have my unreserved recommendation for this cartridge. I play old LPs that have always been religiously looked after. All have been washed, put into upgraded sleeves and stored vertically. All are demagnetized and cleaned prior to use. Nevertheless, please remember that you have to consider what the best choice might be for your system in order to optimize your decision. If your set-up is different, you may need to consider other cartridges. I expect that I'll get a second 540 ML in the not too distant future. For my systems, it is that good. I hope these comments help you in your search for a new cartridge. Good luck.
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ERVIN TORRES HERNANDEZ
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
Reviewed in Mexico on 4 December 2023
Style Name: VM540ML/H Combo KitVerified Purchase
El sonido es muy claro, se escuchan detalles que con la AT-VM95E no tienen la fidelidad que da este modelo.
Por parte del tiempo de entrega, también excelente.
Recomiendo ampliamente este producto.
Rylan
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally!
Reviewed in the United States on 23 August 2023
Style Name: VM540ML/H Combo KitVerified Purchase
This is finally the cartridge I’ve been looking for. I bought a cheap turntable to see if my dad’s old records still worked. When I found they sounded better than I’d expected, and I realized that the turntable I bought was super basic and had a conical stylus, I upgraded to a basic elliptical stylus. It sounded better, but there was a lot of turntable noise for my liking (I could hear the motor). I upgraded to the Fluance RT-85. It apparently is still not below audiophile level, but it was a huge step up. Some of these old, badly cared for records of my dads that had been languishing in piles of dirt under boxes sounded quite good! I bought a lot of new recent releases. They sounded nice, but I was irritated by the inner groove distortion on most of them. The only ones that I couldn’t tell there was distortion on were records from the 80s which were mastered specifically for vinyl, or 45 RPM records. My research led me to realize I needed a micro line or shibata stylus. I was about to buy the Ortofon 2M black, but decided to take a chance on this one instead. I’m glad I did. Perhaps the black sounds better - I don’t know. I just know that this stylus sounds a whole lot better than the 2M Blue. Its completely eliminated the Inner Groover Distortion on all my records. I wouldn’t say they sound like CDs -that’s cliched. I would say they sound smoother, clearer, crisper and more alive. There’s more depth of base (only on records with deep base), and the treble extends far beyond my ears can hear (i’m in my 40s and I can hear around 14KHz max).

I haven’t even broken in the stylus yet.

I bought it with the head shell - it took literally seconds to plug it in.

I’ll use the Ortofon 2M blue as a backup, I suppose. There aren’t really any records that sound better with the blue.
6 people found this helpful
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Mars Music
5.0 out of 5 stars Reproduz em alta fidelidade.
Reviewed in Brazil on 31 October 2022
Style Name: VM540ML CartridgeVerified Purchase
Uma experiência única com o vinil. Leitura impecável com uma qualidade ótima até a na última faixa.
Manuel
5.0 out of 5 stars SUPER CONTENTO!!
Reviewed in Spain on 28 March 2024
Style Name: VM540ML CartridgeVerified Purchase
Le dio otra dimensión de claridad, escena y sonido a mi project carbon evo!! Subió claramente 2 escalones!!! Súper recomendada!!!