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AT VM-95E on Pioneer PL-516, PL-540

HowlerMonkey

HowlerMonkey

Active Member
I am starting this thread to document my initial impressions with a AT VM-95E on a couple of Pioneer Tables.
It is currently fitted on a PL-516 table. I will be breaking it during the next couple of weeks and I hope to record some audio samples. I used a generic head-shell for now (~15.5g). I used the Ortofon alignment tool and the shure manual scale for tracking force. I started with 2g tracking force and 2+ antiskate for a couple of hours. I am down to 1.75g tracking force and ~1.9 antiskate. These were the antiksate settings needed to pass the last 2 anti skate tracks of the HiFi News test LP.

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My initial impressions are very favorable.
  • The cartridge was very easy to install. I appreciate the threaded inserts.
  • Torquing the provided bolts can be a bit tricky. I might look into this in more detail latter because i think i over tight them a bit.
  • The cart is very efficient and I think it might be louder than the AT11 with a generic stylus that I had on another PL table.
  • I am using a Schiit preamp with Gain 1: High and Gain 2: Low. And this combo seems louder than a Digital input from my computer.
  • The pioneer table PL-516 that i am using might need some tuning and I am running the antiskate a bit higher than i wanted. ~1.9
  • The initial sound tests are very engaging with good tracking and great channel seperation ...the stylus digs deep into the low end and has very enjoyable upper frequencies...
My only negative comment at the moment (during the burning time) is that the mid range is very recessed. Almost like there is a veil over the mids and voices. I prefer a more "airy" mid range and not so narrow and setback. So I hope to keep and eye/ear on this while the cartridge burns in. I hope it opens up. I will keep burning on the PL-516 and hope to switch it to the PL-540 next week.
 
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The at 95 is a very good cartridge. It is not the airy midrange your looking for though. I would suggest the nagoka 110 or a grado red for something like that.
 
Bahamayellow said:
The at 95 is a very good cartridge. It is not the airy midrange your looking for though. I would suggest the nagoka 110 or a grado red for something like that.
Click to expand...

yes! the Nagaoka 110 is on my short list. Eventually I plan to hook up both TTs to my system, with the PL-540 fitted with the Nagaoka and the PL-516 with the VM95E :)
 
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