AT13Ea vs. VMS 20e MKII

[chrispv777]

Audio Technica’s AT13Ea

or

Ortofon’s VMS 20e MKII

I was wondering which of the two you guys would recommend as being better. I’m bringing my turntable up with me to college and need to decide which cartridge to take. Thanks.

 

[MisterDK]

Which has the newest stylus?

I haven’t heard that Ortofon, but the 13Ea is a pretty good sounding cartridge.

 

[Bicyclist]

Whatever you dont mind someone else touching.

 

[Blue Shadow]

The ortofon is top of that line except for the 30.
The at has the 14 above it an another cartridge model with the 15 and 20 above that.

They are both very good cartridges that most would be thrilled to have so it really boils down to the condition and quality of the stylus and the sound of the cartridge. These will sound different based on how AT sounds and how Ortofon sounds.

What table is getting one of these?

 

[stratokaster]

I have both cartridges. Both are pretty good but the Ortofon just sounds better to my ears. It has this amazing old school Ortofon house sound.

 

[Grbluen]

I spent a lot of time with the 13ea and it's ls500 variant. Unless you like super smooth, slightly rolled off highs, I'd say skip the 13ea.

Don

 

[MisterDK]

I spent a lot of time with the 13ea and it's ls500 variant. Unless you like super smooth, slightly rolled off highs, I'd say skip the 13ea.

Don

I also have the LS500. With its line contact, rolled off highs aren’t how I’d describe that one at all. I haven’t found the 13Ea (with fresh, original stylus) to be rolled off either, but I suppose how it’s set up, matters quite a bit.

 

[Isaac C.]

The Ortofon is my pick, I have a few of the VMS models, but I have heard the AT 130E and it sounded good too.

 

[MisterDK]

Audio Technica’s AT13Ea

or

Ortofon’s VMS 20e MKII

I was wondering which of the two you guys would recommend as being better. I’m bringing my turntable up with me to college and need to decide which cartridge to take. Thanks.

I’m wondering which sounds better to YOU..(?)
Would you want to take the better sounding one? Try ‘em both and decide.. ^_^

 

[Wolfie62]

Is there a problem with space? If not, take both. The extra cart won’t take up much space. The LPs will take up more!

 

[Crab33]

While I don't have the AT cartridge (but have other AT models), I do have the Ortofon VMS20E MkII. In terms of specs, they both have a nude elliptical stylus but I think the AT stylus is a little finer and also has a tapered cantilever (which is a positive). I suspect the AT may not be as high-compliance as the Ortofon, which would make the AT a better option if you're putting it on a medium-mass arm.

In terms of sounds quality, I find the VMS20E nice in being relatively mellow and easy listening, but not terribly exciting. I suspect the AT will offer more detail, as they are usually good on detail, and the VMS20E isn't as explicit with detail as some.

If these are both well-used cartridges, you may want to think about the possible stylus replacements. I dare say aftermarket styli are available for both, but they won't be of the standard of the originals. The VMS20E body will take other Ortofon VMS, F and FF styli that are fitted with the universal plastic insert (combination of hour-glass and H profiles) on the back of the stylus. Ortofon still sell an FF15XE MkII stylus which may be suitable, especially if the arm is medium-mass rather than low-mass.