Audio-Technica VM740ML

Bright, open, airy, detailed, dynamics through the roof. I upgraded from a very old Pickering cart that was excellent in its day, but its day was a long time ago. That's by way of saying that if your current cartridge is newer and/or pretty good, the improvement may not be as pronounced for you as it was for me. That said, I couldn't be more pleased with the AT 740. It's not inexpensive, but I think worth the price. I simply can't imagine that paying $600, $800, or more could result in a significantly better sound. Be aware that mounting it to your headshell can be challenging. Neither pair of included screws fit mine (one too long, the other too short). But DO NOT discard the one screw that holds the cart to the black plastic retaining device in which it ships. That screw turned out to be the Goldilocks screw for me ("just right"). Find a second one that size in your tool kit or the hardware store and you're good to go. The included nuts will fit that screw. (Obviously, your headshell may accommodate different screws.) Be sure to wet clean your records (including new ones) to get most of the dust out of the grooves; it takes a little effort, but it's oh-so-worth-it. The AT VM740ML is a terrific cartridge which has given my vintage Dual 701 TT a new lease on life. Recommended in the highest terms.

Pros: - Superb sound, which is the whole point, no? - Well-packaged - Screw driver and small brush included

Cons: - Installation can be challenging; just take your time

The 740 represents the low end of ATs high-end MM line, which includes the 740, 750 and 760. For reasons I do not understand, the cheaper 740 has the most advanced stylus shape of the three [Namiki Precision Jewel Company, Micro Ridge/Line], followed by the 750, which features a Shibata diamond, and lastly the 760 which sports a Fine Line. You'd think it would be the other way around. Neither the Shibata nor the Fine Line possess the scanning and contact radius of the Micro Line stylus. As far as I can tell, the 740 is similar (if not the same) electrically as the lower priced VM540ML, which replaces the discontinued 440ML. AT claims the 740 aluminum body suppresses resonances better than the VM540 plastic body. I have no idea if this is true, or just marketing. In any case, a recent on-line technical review of the lower priced VM540ML found that the 440ML's 6dB peak (from 12-15kHz) is missing, which is a good thing. The sound, IMO, is like a smooth 440ML, sans the aggressive highs. It tracks as well as anything I've encountered. If you want the "romantic" type sound of something like a Denon DL-103, this is probably not going to do it for you. If you would like an AT-440ML without the aggressive highs, I'd certainly recommend you look in to the AT540ML. If you want something a little more cosmetically presentable, and perhaps even sonically better than the 540, for just a little more money, then the 740ML is hard to beat.

Pros: Much better than the discontinued 440ML. Looks great. Microline Stylus Great tracking.

Cons: Not sure if it is sonically different than the lower priced VM540ML.