Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge with Microlinear Nude Stylus,red

Product Information

All stylus assemblies use an aluminium tube cantilever, with two miniature magnets bonded on in 90 degree V arrangement. Despite what manufactures claim mono switches invariably add the two channels by simply shorting the two channels together, even very" expensive units do this. At home (Meridian Explorer DAC, NAD receiver and Vandersteen 2C's only reinforced that both versions are pretty bad, although file 2 is marginally better. The VM95 Series suspension design and compliances of VM95 Series have been designed for optimum audiophile reproduction. Audio Technica usefully explain that life expectancy is 500 hours for conical, 300 hours for elliptical, 800 hours for Shibata and 1000 hours for Microlinear.

Audio Technica has always opted for tightly controlled bass instead of loose and heavy bass designed to impress the naïve, a design decision that pays strong dividends in musical communication. Indeed, I was very pleasantly surprised at how well the VM95ML depicted the sonority of all the choirs of the Classical orchestra, capturing each instrument’s unique voice. I chose the VM95SH because it's slightly more forgiving of alignment than the VM95ML and has sweeter mids and a more forgiving treble. For example, the famed Denon DL-103 Weisfeld thinks sounds great with certain arms and just okay with others.

Listening to several tracks, it was noticeable that tonality was rich and vocals had a presence and clarity to them.

There is much to worry about in digital, but there is not much we can do about that with most of our players having just on and off, but now the newer dacs are giving us more listening options, a very good thing. File 2 does sound a bit muffled in direct comparison but when we go back to File 1 it sounds hysterical (from hysteria, not by making us laugh).So what we're hearing is how it sounds through whatever you're listening through, on THIS particular tonearm. The AT-VM95ML, features a Nude Microlinear diamond, not only the Microlinear stylus will permit to double the duration of your stylus.

Despite the fact that there is no such thing as too good a turntable/arm, the US mass market has long been notoriously resistant to purchasing even an adequate, if not superior, turntable. With Fanfare for the Common Man (Two Countries One heart, 180gm, 33rpm) horns were more dense and sonorous than from the ML, kettle drum a tad more powerful. The step up in sound quality is outstanding and inner groove distortion (IGD) and other distortions are virtually eliminated, compared to elliptical shapes.Since SP records have monaural modulation, when combining an SP stylus with a stereo body, such as the AT-VM95SP, it is recommended to use the “MONO ON” function “ of your standard Stereo Phono Preamplifier to minimize record surface noise. I was finally able to listen to the VM 95ML without the major distorting limitations of the Technics’ drive system and tonearm, though a mechanical-sounding rhythmic performance remained, along with slight smearing during full orchestral crescendos.

AT-VM95SP for 78 RPM records - The AT-VM95SP has a 3 mil conical stylus and aluminium cantilever optimized for 78 RPM disc playback. The microlinear profile diamond stylus provides excellent high-frequency response while experiencing less wear and distortion compared to elliptical or traditional linear contact styli.I first tried the VM95ML in a used Technics SL1500 Direct-Drive turntable that I had acquired for use as a wet record-cleaning platform. Splashy high frequencies, increased surface noise, and no bass = too’ positive’ SRA; foggy loss of treble, smearing, and loose bass = too ‘negative.