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AT95E on a Pioneer PL15D-II: good match?

SCAPE_GOAT

SCAPE_GOAT

New Member
Need some opinions:

I’m looking to replace the cartridge and stylus on my Pioneer PL-15D II turntable. The Audio-Technica AT95E seems to be where I’m leaning based on my budget and what I’ve researched. Is this a good choice for me? I need something basic and decent for a low price. I’m just trying to make sure I’m making the right choices with my setup and that everything I’m choosing is compatible. I’m still a total newbie. Any input is welcome. Thanks!
 
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It's a decent cart for the price. You will surely like it. Which cart do you currently have and phonostage?

Regards
Sachin
 
sachu888 said:
It's a decent cart for the price. You will surely like it. Which cart do you currently have and phonostage?

Regards
Sachin
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. To be honest, I think the cart that’s currently on it might also be a AT95E? I just bought the turntable and haven’t even gotten my receiver to get everything going yet. So I haven’t even used the cart that’s on it, but it seems to not be in great shape. So I just wanted to get a new cart on there to start everything fresh. I’ve attached a picture of the current cart.

Also, this is gonna sound really dumb (again, I’m a total newbie), but what exactly is a phonostage? Haha. I’m running a Pioneer Sx-580 receiver, if that helps.
 

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Morning and welcome to the wonderful and seemingly limitless world of vinyl. Regardless of which direction you take, from the pic it appears that the cantilever of that stylus is bent (could be the angle but I don't think so). Do not let that cart/stylus anywhere near an LP without replacing the stylus. And that looks like it could be an AT95e. If so you can replace the stylus for less money than buying a new cart. Are you in a position to ask the seller? Your PIO SX-580 (nice receiver) phono connection (rear of the receiver) is your phono stage. Just ensure you insert the turntable rca connectors into the correct ports (red-right, white-left) and connect the ground wire.

Here's 3 options for replacing that stylus (once you've confirmed you've got an AT95e):

https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATN95E.html

https://thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog...ameNeedles&MfgName=Audio+Technica&Categories=

https://www.turntableneedles.com/AT...hnica-AT95E-etc--our-Needle-710-DE_p_651.html

Personally, I've had good luck purchasing replacement styluses (styli if you prefer) from all 3 sources.
 
That isn't an AT95E in the photo. I couldn't tell you what it is, but it may say on the top if you remove it from the headshell. The stylus looks like this one for the AT11E, so that might be it.

https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATS11E-OR.html

An AT95E would be a suitable new cartridge for the PL-15D, although I would go for the new version, the AT-VM95E.
 
beej said:
Morning and welcome to the wonderful and seemingly limitless world of vinyl. Regardless of which direction you take, from the pic it appears that the cantilever of that stylus is bent (could be the angle but I don't think so). Do not let that cart/stylus anywhere near an LP without replacing the stylus. And that looks like it could be an AT95e. If so you can replace the stylus for less money than buying a new cart. Are you in a position to ask the seller? Your PIO SX-580 (nice receiver) phono connection (rear of the receiver) is your phono stage. Just ensure you insert the turntable rca connectors into the correct ports (red-right, white-left) and connect the ground wire.

Here's 3 options for replacing that stylus (once you've confirmed you've got an AT95e):

https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATN95E.html

https://thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog...ameNeedles&MfgName=Audio+Technica&Categories=

https://www.turntableneedles.com/AT...hnica-AT95E-etc--our-Needle-710-DE_p_651.html

Personally, I've had good luck purchasing replacement styluses (styli if you prefer) from all 3 sources.
Click to expand...
Thanks! You’re definitely right, it’s bent. I haven’t played anything on the turntable yet, as I just recently got it. And as soon as I saw the stylus I knew I had to look into a new one. Thanks for the suggestions and thanks for explaining a phono stage, haha. I’m a newbie with a lot of newbie questions and I’m already learning a lot around here. I appreciate the help. I’m definitely leaning toward the AT95E.
 
Crab33 said:
That isn't an AT95E in the photo. I couldn't tell you what it is, but it may say on the top if you remove it from the headshell. The stylus looks like this one for the AT11E, so that might be it.

https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATS11E-OR.html

An AT95E would be a suitable new cartridge for the PL-15D, although I would go for the new version, the AT-VM95E.
Click to expand...
You're right, it’s definitely not the AT95E that’s on there. I was wrong. I am still leaning toward that as a replacement. I appreciate the info. I’ll look into the AT-VM95E too. Thanks for the help!
 
not just bent but broken, definitely do not let that anywhere near your records

Screenshot_20200907-094215.png

the AT-VM95E is a nice sounding cartridge for the money
 
In my opinion, the AT-VM95E sounds a little fuller and more dynamic than the older AT95E, but the latter has a pleasant sound. Both have bonded elliptical styli but the AT-VM95E is part of a AT-VM95 series of cartridges that allows you to upgrade the cartridge by just replacing the stylus - for example, you can upgrade to a nude (pure diamond) elliptical stylus, making the AT-VM95EN, or to the nude MicroLine stylus, making the AT-VM95ML. The AT95E doesn't have such an upgrade path, unless you turn to third-party styli.
 
Crab33 said:
In my opinion, the AT-VM95E sounds a little fuller and more dynamic than the older AT95E, but the latter has a pleasant sound. Both have bonded elliptical styli but the AT-VM95E is part of a AT-VM95 series of cartridges that allows you to upgrade the cartridge by just replacing the stylus - for example, you can upgrade to a nude (pure diamond) elliptical stylus, making the AT-VM95EN, or to the nude MicroLine stylus, making the AT-VM95ML. The AT95E doesn't have such an upgrade path, unless you turn to third-party styli.
Click to expand...
The more I learn about the AT-VM95E, the more I like it. I watched a comparison video between that and the AT95E and the AT-VM95E did sound a bit brighter and fuller. Still not sure which I’m going with yet, but this is all good to know. Didn’t know about the upgrades on the AT-VM95E either, that’s a cool option to have. Thanks!
 
I just put the VM 95E on a Pioneer PL-115D and am very surprised. $49 on Amazon? Can’t be. The sound is smooth with nice detail, and very musical. This is a gift for a friend but I could surely live with it.
 
The VM95E is pretty darn respectable....fairly neutral, pleasantly detailed. It just happens to be great deal at $50, and has an excellent upgrade path with more great bargains. Hard to go wrong if it's a match for your arm and system.
 
Thanks for all the info, everyone. I actually ended up purchasing an AT95E that I’m waiting on to arrive, but I’m thinking about grabbing the VM95E as well very soon. I like what I hear about it and wouldn’t mind having that and the AT95E on hand.
 
Crab33 said:
That isn't an AT95E in the photo. I couldn't tell you what it is, but it may say on the top if you remove it from the headshell. The stylus looks like this one for the AT11E, so that might be it.

https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATS11E-OR.html

An AT95E would be a suitable new cartridge for the PL-15D, although I would go for the new version, the AT-VM95E.
Click to expand...
That looks like an Audio Technica AT11. We carried them both in the mid 70’s. I have had both. Get a new stylus for that 11. It’s a better cart than the 95. The 95 is too high on the high end. My gripe is you hear all the noise on a crappy record. I like the Shure M44 or M55. Find a cart body on Eprey and get a Jico HE stylus. Get one for a 55. It will fit in either a 44 or 55 body. I like these carts. If you have a semi crappy record you won’t hear all the noise. An AT picks up noise. My 2 cents.

Eric
 
stereofisher said:
That looks like an Audio Technica AT11. We carried them both in the mid 70’s. I have had both. Get a new stylus for that 11. It’s a better cart than the 95. The 95 is too high on the high end. My gripe is you hear all the noise on a crappy record. I like the Shure M44 or M55. Find a cart body on Eprey and get a Jico HE stylus. Get one for a 55. It will fit in either a 44 or 55 body. I like these carts. If you have a semi crappy record you won’t hear all the noise. An AT picks up noise. My 2 cents.

Eric
Click to expand...
Thanks! I ended up buying the 95, but I’m probably also going to get a stylus for the 11.
 
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