Audio-Technica Just Made Your Next Vinyl Upgrades Even Easier

Audio-Technica has unveiled a fresh batch of analogue accessories designed to help listeners squeeze more performance from their turntable setups. Leading the pitch is a simple message: get the setup right, and your records will sound better for it.

Bob Peet, Audio-Technica Global Product Manager for Analogue Products, told StereoNET:

A properly calibrated cartridge and turntable are essential to getting the most out of any record-playing setup. These accessories ensure listeners will enjoy the best sound possible from their analogue playback.

The first act here is the new AT-CAP4, a multi-function cartridge alignment and stroboscope disc built to make setup less of a dark art. It is designed to help users dial in cartridge geometry for proper tracking, lower distortion, and reduced record wear.

On side one, the disc includes null points for Baerwald, Stevenson, Löfgren B and UNI-DIN alignments, covering tonearm effective lengths from 200 to 250 mm, and giving users a choice based on listening preferences.

In short, Baerwald is the all-rounder, Stevenson favours the inner grooves often prized by classical and jazz listeners, Löfgren B pushes for stronger performance across most of the record, and UNI-DIN leans into clarity through the middle and inner groove area for rock and pop fans.

Flip it over, and side two serves up a built-in stroboscope for checking platter speed at 33-1/3, 45 and 78 RPM, with support for both 50 Hz and 60 Hz operation.

Also joining the range is the AT-TC300/1.2 phono cable, which Audio-Technica is positioning as a worthwhile step up from the stock leads bundled with many turntables.

It uses low-capacitance HYPER OFC wiring to preserve cartridge output and a PVC jacket with mica filler to help suppress unwanted vibration.

The cable is also double-shielded and fitted with a central ground wire, all in the name of better signal-to-noise performance and improved resolution.

Rounding things out are the AT6112x (above) and AT6104x (below) headshell lead wires, two small upgrades aimed at vinyl diehards who know that tiny parts can make a big difference in analogue playback.

Both use 29 strands of 0.12 mm wire, with 7N-class Dia Ultra Crystallised Copper and Pure Copper Ultra High Drawability conductors respectively, plus PVC sheathing with mica filler for vibration control and gold-plated cartridge clips for durability and maximum signal transfer.

The new Audio-Technica accessories are available now, with pricing as follows:

• AT-CAP4 Cartridge Alignment and Stroboscopic Disc: US$40
• AT-TC300/1.2: Phono Cables: US$99
• AT6112x Headshell Wires: US$60
• AT6104x Headshell Wires: US$30

For more information visit Audio-technica