My favorit $50 cartridge

[hrudulv]

It is the Audio-Technica AT95E, nowdiscontinued. I enjoyed it much more than a lot more expensive or other carts.
But now they have a new one called AT-VM95E.
Anyone has experience with the old one and now with the new AT-VM95E?

BTW, what is your favorit $100 cart?

I like to start low and move up the ladder.

Thanks and happy Thanksgiving!

Oh, and I know the AT95E is still available out there.

​

 

[dr*audio]

Sumiko Pearl is very nice.

 

[jrtrent]

It is the Audio-Technica AT95E, nowdiscontinued. I enjoyed it much more than a lot more expensive or other carts.
But now they have a new one called AT-VM95E.
Anyone has experience with the old one and now with the new AT-VM95E?

I've owned both, but at vastly different times, so no direct comparison. I believe I like the new one better, and I know I like the VM95 better with the conical VMN95C stylus.

BTW, what is your favorit $100 cart?

I've had a handful of cartridges in that price range that have all proven favorites to me depending on what turntable I was using. I currently use an AT3600L, but that's not available retail from AT, at least not here in the United States. A member tested it against the Rega Carbon and found them as close to identical as it gets, and I have heard the Carbon on a Rega Planar 2 and loved it. Two from Sumiko are the Black Pearl, which was my favorite on a Denon DP-300F, and the Oyster, which I Iiked best on an AT-LP120XUSB (it beat out the ATVM95C I had been using; I bought an extra headshell to use the VM95 body with a 78 rpm stylus). The Grado Green was my favorite on a Well Tempered Record Player. Its price has gone up to $125, but it's still one I'd recommend for the right turntable.

I like to start low and move up the ladder.

I've tried moving up the ladder a bit, such as with a Linn Asaka moving coil cartridge when I still had an LP12/Ittok setup, and the Grado Statement Platinum wood-body cartridge on the WTRP, but I've always ended up returning to something around $100 because they sound so good that I know I'm not really missing any musical enjoyment from my records.

 

[Sgt Shultz]

Sumiko Pearl is very nice.

I can certainly second this in that price range.

 

[samrobertson]

The difference between the AT95E and AT-VM95E is minimal, with the newer one using a slightly higher quality elliptical stylus profile - .3 radius vs .4 on the original. I believe the new stylus fits in the old cartridge bodies but the reverse is not true - though I'm not absolutely 100% sure on that and others can definitively confirm.

I will second jrtrent's opinion that the VM-95C is a killer deal too. I think $20 for the stylus or $30-$40 for stylus + cart.

 

[hrudulv]

I was about to order the AT-VM95E but now will buy the VM-95C and move up the ladder.
Funny that I always put the AT95E back in service.
Thanks all.

 

[cafe latte]

The difference between the AT95E and AT-VM95E is minimal, with the newer one using a slightly higher quality elliptical stylus profile - .3 radius vs .4 on the original. I believe the new stylus fits in the old cartridge bodies but the reverse is not true - though I'm not absolutely 100% sure on that and others can definitively confirm.

I will second jrtrent's opinion that the VM-95C is a killer deal too. I think $20 for the stylus or $30-$40 for stylus + cart.

Nope the later AT95e were 0.3x0.7, the original was 0.4.
You can put new stylus too on old body but for it to sit perfect it needs a tiny shave off the plastic
CHris

 

[cafe latte]

There are far better carts out there, but I once did an experimet fitting a AT95e onto a SP10mk2 with an Eminent Technology air arm for giggles. ATC scm 100 speakers and DNM pre with a lovely mosfet amp. It sounded really amazing to some extent proving Linns mantra that a budget cart on a great system sounds amazing but a great cart on a budget system sounds budget.
Another bottom feeder cart that sounds amazing is the AT3600 with a nude black diamond stylus it is lovely.
Chris

 

[knotscott]

It is the Audio-Technica AT95E, nowdiscontinued. I enjoyed it much more than a lot more expensive or other carts.
But now they have a new one called AT-VM95E.
Anyone has experience with the old one and now with the new AT-VM95E?

BTW, what is your favorit $100 cart?

I like to start low and move up the ladder.

Thanks and happy Thanksgiving!

Oh, and I know the AT95E is still available out there.

​

SAE 1000LT

 

[Morty4Snerd]

SAE 1000LT

View attachment 3047290

Not a $50 cartridge - $99 eBay blowout LOL!

 

[melofelo]

I've been a big fan of the AT-95E for 35 years now. It's a great match for a medium mass arm and gives a very decent sound for an entry level cartridge. I've never felt the need to upgrade this Ariston RD-60 + AT-95E combination since I first acquired the turntable new in 1988. It's just a fun listen on all types of music. Strap it to a good arm , dial it in to Baerwald null points and keep the tracking force between 1.85gm & 2.0gm ( depending on room temperature ) and you may well ask yourself 'why spend more ? ' . My other favorite affordable cartridge was the AT-110E which came out in the early 80s,. Long since discontinued , it gave a very good account of itself considering its original selling price ( around £12 in 1983). It was , imho, one of the cheapest cartridges to do justice to an orchestra or a big band jazz recording in a large acoustic space. Neither cartridges were perfect by any means , but unless you had a top notch front end and tonearm .. both sounded musical, dynamic , punchy and spacious and really quite detailed for the price. The 'Source First > Phono stage > Amp > Speakers then Cartridge Last' Turntable system heirarchy worked a treat with these two budget wonders.

 

[mfenberg]

I have the AT-VM95C mounted in a Dual 1218 turntable and it sounds great! As others have mentioned, it's easy to upgrade the stylus!