Audio Technica cartridge

[Richard46]

1 - If I replace the the cartridge AT-VM95E by the AT-VT95ML on my turntable (Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB), will the difference be appreciable? Is the AT-VM95SH is a lot better?
2 - Do I have to adjust the tracking force ring and the anti skate control for the new one.

Thank you.

 

[maxhifi]

1. That depends on the rest of your system, the quality and condition of your records, how well aligned the cartridge is, and how critically you are listening. I've heard the sweet spot in that line is the nude elliptical AT-VM95EN

2. Probably not but it would be a good time to check them as they can fall out of alignment over time.

 

[Crab33]

Having owned both the VM95E and VM95ML, I can say you will gain some detail and enjoy much cleaner tracking by moving to the ML, but you may find the sound a little brighter/thinner. Both styli track at 2g, so you won't need to adjust the counterweight or anti-skating. However, if you replace the whole cartridge, rather than just the stylus, you will have to align the new cartridge - this is very important for the ML stylus.

 

[james73_2010]

No need to replace the entire cartridge, just buy one of the higher spec stylii.

 

[MER71]

I have tested out the VM95 with the C, E, EN, ML and SH. I currently keep the C, E and EN in my lineup. I feel that is the best bang for the buck. Though.....I will buy a ML and SH at some point. Right now....prices have going through the roof with the economy. When things settle down, I will rebuy them. Otherwise.....going from the E to EN, was a huge difference in sound. I paid $15 for the C and use that on rough records and it really sounds good.

 

[jrtrent]

1 - If I replace the the cartridge AT-VM95E by the AT-VT95ML on my turntable (Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB), will the difference be appreciable? Is the AT-VM95SH is a lot better?

I'm sure you will hear differences, but which you will prefer is a matter of taste. Herb Reichert compared several budget cartridges, including four versions of the VM95: the conical, the bonded elliptical, the ML, and the Shibata. Comparing the bonded elliptical to the Shibata, he wrote, "With the AT-VM95E, this album's ganja-Rasta spirit was amped up further, drawing me into a night of bass-dosed dancehall dreams. The verdict: The less-expensive, elliptical version made the Shibata-tipped version of the VM95 sound overly smooth and polite. I always haven't loved Shibata styli; now I know why: It's too pipe-n-slippers." However, he liked the conical even more, saying, "Music-pleasure–wise, Audio-Technica's VM95C was the most satisfying cartridge in this survey." https://www.stereophile.com/content...io-technica-goldring-lp-gear-phono-cartridges

I've only heard the VM95E, the stock cartridge on my LP120XUSB, and the same cartridge with the conical stylus. My preference was for the conical. One thing that should be mentioned is that the arm on the LP120XUSB slopes down from the arm pivot to the headshell, and this model does not have adjustable arm height. I've read that dialing in the vertical tracking angle can be very important to getting the best from the more advanced stylus shapes. One modest cartridge I found I liked even more than the VM95C on this turntable was the $79 Sumiko Oyster, which also uses a .6 mil conical stylus.

 

[Richard46]

Thank you all very much for your recommendations. Very convenient.