Dedicated VMx Cartridge for 78 RPM Shellac and SP Record Playback
The Audio-Technica AT-VM670xSP VMx MM Phono Conical Cartridge is purpose-built for playing mono 78 RPM SP records, combining Audio-Technica’s VM generator technology with a large 3.0 mil bonded conical stylus. The larger stylus radius is specifically suited to the wider grooves found on historic 78 RPM records from a variety of eras, providing more appropriate groove contact than the smaller styli normally used for modern microgroove LPs.
The AT-VM670xSP incorporates an aluminum-pipe cantilever, paratoroidal coil construction and a dedicated mono body configuration that terminates the left and right channels internally to help reduce surface noise. Its low-resonance polymer housing includes threaded mounting holes for straightforward installation, while a 4.7 mV output makes the cartridge suitable for compatible moving-magnet phono inputs and phono preamplifiers.
Highlights & Benefits
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Designed for 78 RPM SP Records — Purpose-built for playback of shellac and other historic standard-play records with wider grooves than modern microgroove LPs.
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3.0 mil Bonded Conical Stylus — The large-radius conical tip is optimized for the groove dimensions commonly found on 78 RPM records from a wide variety of eras.
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Dedicated Mono Configuration — Internal termination of the left and right channels helps reduce unwanted surface noise when reproducing mono records.
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Paratoroidal Coil Design — Audio-Technica’s coil architecture improves generator efficiency for strong, consistent signal output.
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Threaded Mounting Holes — Integrated M2.6 threads simplify cartridge installation without requiring separate mounting nuts.
Technology & Design
Purpose-Built SP Stylus Geometry — Modern LP cartridges typically use substantially smaller styli designed for microgroove records. The AT-VM670xSP instead uses a 3.0 mil conical tip engineered to properly contact the wider grooves of 78 RPM SP records.
Mono-Optimized Generator — The cartridge uses a dedicated mono configuration in which the left and right channels are terminated internally, helping suppress vertical groove noise and surface artifacts that are not part of the intended mono signal.
Aluminum-Pipe Cantilever — The bonded conical stylus is mounted to an aluminum-pipe cantilever designed to provide the rigidity and tracking characteristics required for historic SP records.
Low-Resonance Polymer Housing — A durable polymer body provides a mechanically stable platform for the generator while keeping cartridge weight to 7.2 grams for compatibility with a broad range of suitable tonearms and headshells.
FAQ — Audio-Technica AT-VM670xSP
Is the AT-VM670xSP designed for normal 33-1/3 RPM LP records?
No. The AT-VM670xSP is specifically designed for 78 RPM SP records and uses a large 3.0 mil conical stylus appropriate for their wider grooves. For conventional mono microgroove LPs, Audio-Technica offers the AT-VM610xMONO instead.
Can the AT-VM670xSP play shellac 78 RPM records?
Yes. This cartridge was specifically developed for mono 78 RPM SP records, including shellac records. Your turntable must also be capable of operating at the appropriate playback speed.
What tracking force should I use with the AT-VM670xSP?
Audio-Technica specifies a tracking-force range of 4.5 to 5.5 grams, with 5.0 grams as the standard recommended setting.
What replacement stylus fits the AT-VM670xSP?
The direct replacement is the Audio-Technica AT-VMN70xSP, which uses the same bonded 3.0 mil conical stylus profile designed for SP record playback.
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