Audio-Technica AT-VM95E Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge with Elliptical Bonded Stylus,Green

Product Information

We are pleased to present the results of what we believe to be the first thorough listening test and review of the VM95 range outside of ATs own facilities. On a warmish evening in mid October our own Gary Hargreaves of Improved Performance Turntables Ltd, Colin Yallop of Chevron Audio and Mark Wheeler (Reviewer for TNT Audio) sat down and played some music using the VM95 Range. Gary’s review follows: The article suggests that you can "at least" double those hours before the stylus will start damaging your records. One member here, Cafe Latte (Chris), recently wrote: AT150MLX was the biggest disappointment. Instruments sound clear but appeared to be playing through a small windows. The note fundamentals seemed to have disappeared somewhere. If you want a brighter sound than the 95EN, then the 540, 740, 750, and 760 will deliver that. You could also just turn up the treble control if you have one. Elliptical diamond stylus follows the groove modulation with greater precision compared to a conical stylus, offering improved frequency and phase responses whilst reducing distortion. Preassembled With AT-HS6BK Headshell

The VM95EN nude elliptical had plenty of body and drive with Alison Goldfrap’s Lovely to CU, making the ripping synth sound big and meaty. There was some softening of images across the sound stage and a de-focussed effect was apparent, especially on inner grooves with the Trondheim Soloists behind Marianne Thorsen; here the ML and SH kept them all well separated but the EN introduced blur. All the same the ‘95EN survived all the test LPs and gave a lively sound with good tonal balance. The couth and unflappable nature of its presentation is instantly recognizable from the blueprint set out by the 39 year old progenitor. We’re here to report that the (green) King might be dead, but long live the new (green) King. AT7V (note similar spec to the original K18 stylus) sounded very lively, quite rhythmic but had problems keeping bass notes in tune and in time. Perhaps Hanpin improved newer gen LP120s, but I doubt it is in the same league as Technics or Rega. Prices valid in stores (all including VAT) until close of business on 28th November 2023. (Some of these web prices are cheaper than in-store, so please mention that you've seen these offers online.)

Audio-Technica AT-VM95E

Jico HE, VL and SE have a family sound. Quite musical but the audio is represented by a certain 'hardness' with a somewhat 'staccato' type nature to the sound. https://www.thakker.eu/en/needles/atn-95-e-stylus-for-audio-technica-at-95-e-generic-stylus/a-5369/ The stylus is a shaped piece of industrial diamond that is affixed to the end of the cantilever. The shape is the point of differentiation. At the simplest level, it is a cone shaped tip that moves through the groove of the record responding to the information that is contained therein. By increasing the length of the tip and decreasing the width, it is possible to make the stylus sit deeper in the groove of the record and extract more information - the conical tip becomes an elliptical one.

Chris: Not anymore. I.e., if you compare the specs for their more recent models (e.g. VM740ML and VM750SH), you'll see, that AT's newer MLs no longer are r/R 2.5/75 µm (= 0.1/3.0 mil), as formerly specified in their older tip shape comparison charts, but 0.12/2.2 mil vs. 0.26/2.7 mil for their current Shibatas. So their new MLs merely still have a smaller, still very sharp minor radius, but the major radius shrunk below the major radius of their current Shibatas. Probably the most notable difference is the treble, where the Ortofon 2M Red stands out. The opinion of the masses, on whether this is a good thing or not, is pretty divided. The following styli may also be compatible as long as the LP’s dimensional groove build can handle it: All styli will fit the K18 once modified. The front mount containing the threaded hole on the K18 needs reducing by 1mm on its sides, face and bottom. The 95 type styli need a 2mm hole drilling into their front face.Another striking quality that makes it stand out is the way it delivers female vocals. It’s generally better than the Ortofon 2M Red, which has a sibilance issue. The VM95 stylus assembly has a locating spigot that guides it into the body; it's fitted from below. Switching to the VM95EN - which doesn’t change the shape of the stylus, simply reduces the effective mass at the end of the cantilever by eliminating the shank, starts to make a little more sense of this demanding record. Complex passages gain a further clarity and rhythmic agility. The basic tonal balance of the 95EN doesn’t meaningfully alter from the 95E though. Given that the price doubles in this jump, it might be possible to argue that this is the step that is the hardest to justify. If you know you have a shelf full of demanding material though, you might find it worth it. With the AT-VM95E mounted on an SME M2-9 tonearm on a Michell GyroDec, the changes between the new model and the old are revealed to be more than cosmetic. The AT-95E was never the last word in subtlety and refinement and while the AT-VM95E is still on the brighter side of neutral, it brings a level of refinement to its presentation that the older model couldn’t achieve and is extremely impressive judged by the standards of its sub-price point. So in answer to your question of could you play two hours of music every day for 500 days before issues arose, the evidence seems to be no, not if by "issues" you include rising distortion due to wear. Could you put on that 1000 hours without damaging your records? Well, some say yes, and AT says 1000 hours is safe, but you might be right at the limit, and some people, such as Chris, might recommend playing it safe by not stretching it that far. The article I referenced above is quite close to Chris's conclusions:

The budget VM95C conical stylus (blue) measured -2dB down at 10kHz, the VM95E (green) -1dB giving a slightly brighter sound balance. The VM95EN had no loss at 10kHz, plus less on inner grooves. In reference to a Micro Ridge stylus, SoundSmith adds that this is not to say that at 500 hours a SAS stylus is “worn out” but has reached the point where distortion at 15kHz surpasses the level specified by JICO for a new stylus, i.e., 3%." https://thevinylpress.com/the-finish-line-for-your-phonograph-stylus/ The number one criteria I adopted here was how easy it was to follow the tune however it is only my opinion and people listen for different things in their music. The VM-95 body is an example of Audio-Technica’s dual-magnet design and in the 95E is partnered with a bonded elliptical stylus that is mounted on an aluminium pipe-style cantilever. This borrows from the special EX version of the AT-95 that comes fitted as standard to the company’s LP5 turntable ( HFC 405). The body has been designed to reduce resonance and feels a whole lot more substantial than the original AT-95E. Elliptical diamond stylus follows the groove modulation with greater precision compared to a conical stylus, offering improved frequency and phase responses whilst reducing distortion. No use of nuts

Video Review

To give you a good view of how the Ortofon 2M Red and AT VM95E differ, here’s a side-by-side comparison of their specs: SPECIFICATIONS A downgrade would be possible, too, but then the real question now would be: Why would you want to do that? Bottom line, based on the sum of my investigations, advanced diamond stylus life is estimated to be near 500 hours, and probably much lower for spherical and elliptical tip shapes as noted by JICO. Play above 800 hours risks progressive and permanent damage to vinyl records, so it is critical to get an advanced stylus tip examined at near 500 hours of use, much sooner for a spherical or elliptical tip. With proper care and careful examination, you will learn for yourself how long a stylus will last." https://thevinylpress.com/the-finish-line-for-your-phonograph-stylus/