Turntables, Arms & Cartridges

Although the AT-ART20's moving-coil 'circuit' is based on that debuted in the AT-ART9XI, Audio-Technica has beefed up the flux density of the magnet (rather than increase the coil-turns and moving mass of the mech) for a claimed 15% uplift in output. The latter is rated at 0.5mV and the former 0.55mV although, in practice, the AT-ART20's output is slightly more generous still at 0.68mV (all re. 1kHz/5cm/sec) with a very acceptable 0.35dB channel balance. Channel separation did not quite meet the rated 30dB through the midrange, but the response is both flat and extended – within the typical limits of MC design – at ±1.5dB from 20Hz-20kHz [see stereo trace, Graph 1]. Isolating the lateral (L+R) and vertical (L-R) response trends indicates some lack of symmetry in the generator, however, favouring centrally-focused images over presence/treble detail at the extremes of the soundstage [black vs. red traces, Graph 1]. On the other hand, lateral/vertical distortion vs. frequency [see Graph 2] is both low and fairly symmetrical while the stereo THD [dashed trace] holds to <7% from 20Hz-20kHz (–8dB re. 5cm/sec).

Tracking is truly superb at the recommended 1.8g test downforce (a broad 1.6-2.0g range is specified) where the AT-ART20 sails through the top 80µm groove pitch and navigates the maximum +18dB groove (re. 315Hz/5cm/sec) at just <0.7% THD. While this is unusually secure for a moving-coil, the AT-ART20 is far removed from the low-compliance/high-mass designs that still frequent some pockets of the high-end. Instead, this MC has an almost MM-like suspension with a relatively soft 26cu compliance. Low/medium mass arms are recommended while, with a parallel tube, VTA is bang on target at 21°. PM