Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Opus-1
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Type: Ultra Low Impedance MC phono cartridge
- Frequency range: 10-50,000Hz
- Internal impedance: 1.4 ohms (DCR)
- Output voltage: 0.45mV/1kHz
- Magnet: Neodymium#50
- Tracking force: 2.0-2.2g
- Dynamic Compliance: 8x10⁻⁶Cm/Dyne
- Cantilever: Boron Cantilever
- Stylus Tip Type: Semi-line contact (3μmm×30μmm)
- Channel balance: Less than 0.5dB/1kHz
- Cross talk: More than 30dB/1kHz
- Cartridge base: A7075(DLC plating)
- Housing: A5056(Rhodium plating)
- Terminal: Rhodium plating
- Weight: 12.5g
Description
Top-of-the-line MC Phono Cartridge featuring a second-to-none, 3-dimensional image made available in soundstage. Unprecedented, sublime sonic balance achieved through years-long research seeking for optimum combination ratio in internal impedance and output voltage. Exclusive, renowned SH-uX core sealed in ultra-hard duralumin housing fortified by nickel plating.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- A&M stands apart with its long-lived designs; models like the ATM-2 remaining in production for over 30 years with only incremental updates, demonstrating a commitment to timeless quality over fleeting trends.
- They incorporate point-to-point wiring, hand-wound transformers (often sourced from small family businesses), and carefully selected components, reflecting a dedication to craftsmanship reminiscent of audio's golden age.
- Their products consistently balance high technical performance with exceptional musicality, delivering lush, textured sound with spatial accuracy and detail retrieval that sparks inner senses.
Select products
Select product comparisons
ATC-3
- Positioning: The entry-level stereo line-control amplifier designed for affordability and ease of use.
- Description: Features a simple SRPP design with a reinforced buffer stage and a quick recovery diode power supply that offers very low noise. Compared to the more advanced ATC-7, it has fewer features and lower output capability, making it best for small rooms and buyers with a tighter budget and basic functionality needs.
ATC-7
- Positioning: The mid-range stereo line-control amplifier focused on precise signal handling.
- Description: Uses dual 12AX7 and 12AU7 valves to deliver precise control, a wide frequency range, and low distortion. Compared to the entry-level ATC-3, it offers enhanced performance and output voltage while leaving the high-powered driver role to the ATM series.
ATM-1S
- Positioning: The stereo power amplifier built to deliver dependable and balanced performance.
- Description: Uses a traditional Mullard phase inversion circuit with 6CA7 valves and robust Hashimoto transformers to achieve 36W per channel with solid headroom. Compared to the flagship mono BLOCK ATM-3211 and the preamp line (ATC-7 and ATC-3), it strikes a balance in cost and power.
ATM-3211
- Positioning: The high-end mono power amplifier engineered for maximum power delivery.
- Description: Uses a five-year developed 211 triode push-pull circuit that produces 120W output with a wide frequency response and premium hand-picked components. Compared to the stereo ATM-1S and the preamp ATC series, it offers higher output power and superior build quality.
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Avg. Product Price
$10,001-$20,000
Used For Sale
5
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
256
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
31
Founding Year
1986
Our take on the brand
Air Tight is a Japanese hifi brand founded by former Luxman engineer Atsushi Miura that maintains traditional tube sound technology, delivering the warm, natural sound of vacuum tubes through PCB-free point-to-point wiring. Their products are handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, featuring a design philosophy rooted in Japanese simplicity and precision, and are particularly noted for their ability to deliver dynamic realism and rich soundstage even at lower volumes.
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Our interview with the brand
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