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Audio-Technica AT440MLa

The Audio-Technica AT440MLa is an IM cartridge of audiophile class fitted with a conical stylus profile. Its 4 mV output works comfortably with any standard MM phono input, so no step-up device is needed. Rated tracking force runs from 1.0 to 1.8 g with 1.4 g nominal. The stylus assembly ATN440MLa is user replaceable, and Phono Culture lists 5 compatible replacement styli.

Home Brand

Stylus: ATN440MLa
Type: IM
Stylus Shape: Conical[ radii (mil / µm) 0.12 mil (≈3.05 µm), nude square shank ]
Class: Audiophile

Mounting: standard 1/2"
Weight & Dimensions (H×W×D): 6.5 g · 28.0 × 16.0 × 17.3 mm
Output Voltage: 4 mV
Frequency Response: 20–20 000 Hz
Channel Separation: 27 dB
Channel Balance: 0.8 dB at 1 kHz
Recommended Load: 47 kΩ
Tracking Force: 1.0–1.8 g (nominal 1.4 g)
VTA: 20°
Compliance Value: dynamic 10 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne; static 40 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne
Cantilever: tapered alloy tube
Documents: user manual [pdf]

Additional Info

The AT440MLa leans toward a smooth, easygoing presentation rather than a forensic one. Vocals sound natural and full-bodied, imaging is spacious and stable, and dynamics stay lively without turning edgy on brighter recordings. Bass keeps reasonably tight, tracking is confident, and the tapered alloy cantilever holds everything composed. The stylus is replaceable, which makes this relaxed, musical all-rounder easy to keep in shape for vocal, jazz and rock collections.

Replacement styluses for Audio-Technica AT440MLa

LP Gear	N440MR	MicroLine
Audio-Technica	VMN40ML (AT-VMN40)	MicroLine
Audio-Technica	ATN440MLb	MicroLine
Audio-Technica	AT-VMN50SH	Shibata
Audio-Technica	AT-VMN60SLC	Fine Line

Sound × Setup

Detail

72%

IGD Control

68%

Noise Suppression

70%

Dynamics—Attack

73%

Soundstage/Imaging

75%

Bass Density

71%

Vocals/Midrange

76%

Forgiving Character

78%

Tonearm mass medium 50%

light 50%·heavy 0%

Capacitance up to 100 pF 60%

100-200 pF 30%·from 200 pF 10%

Phono gain 39–42 dB 60%

35–38 dB 20%·43–46 dB 20%

Audio-Technica AT440MLa (тип IM, кантилевер — сплавная трубка) оптимально подойдёт к лёгкому тонарму — динамическая податливость и вес 6,5 г дают устойчивый резонанс с массами 8–12 г. Фонокорректор выбирайте с усилением 39–42 дБ и низкой ёмкостью кабеля/входа. Оценка резонанса основана на пересчитанной податливости (×1.7), поэтому итог — по типичным значениям.

Collectors

add 11/12/2025 · upd. 08/02/2026