Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML Microlinear Replacement Turntable Stylus Red

With this stylus, I was able to hear things in a record that I have listened to for 35 years that I never heard before. Who would have thought that this little thing would make so much difference? Its not the cartridge, either. You can use the same AT cartridge- its this stylus that makes the difference. Im not really a crazy audiophile, although I do have about $1000 into my system- all in vintage speakers - none of the new crunchy ones. But this stylus makes a huge difference, probably the biggest difference per dollar of anything Ive used to upgrade my sound. The science behind it relates to how deep the stylus goes into the record grooves, and how it still sounds good as you get to the inner tracks of an LP, which usually has some quality degradation. Im no expert on this- so google it and you can find some more detailed explanations if you like. The bottom line is is YES you can hear the difference from a $35-50 stylus to a $150 one.

I upgraded from a stylus lower in the AT-VMN line and couldn’t be happier. Very easy replacement, with clear instructions. It’s a great stylus.

I have an Audio Technica LP120X turntable with a VM95E cartridge. When my stylus was accidentally broken, I opted for this stylus. I didn’t think it would make much of a difference. WOW! Was I wrong. The notes are crisper, the overtones much more defined, and the overall sound much richer. Even though $150 seemed expensive, I am enjoying the results.

It was time for the first stylus change on my new Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB turntable which came with a VM95 cartridge with an elliptical stylus. After researching, I new I wanted to upgrade to a microlinear cut stylus. So I bought the AT-VMN95ML stylus which was a tremendous sonic improvement over the elliptical stylus. But at the same time, I invested in the Audio-Technica VM540ML/H Turntable Headshell/Cartridge Combo Kit which took the turntable to new heights of sonic clarity and instrument separation. So I give the VMN95ML a very good grade but I give the VM540ML an outstanding grade.

Decided to put this to the test and spin the loudest record I own, Wrath by Lamb of God. On the VM95E, there was a lot of noticeable inner groove distortion due to how heavy and hard the music on it is. After upgrading to the VM95ML, that sibilance and distortion is greatly reduced. The guitar tracks are well balanced and Randy Blythes screaming sounds much more clear in comparison. If you want well-mastered pressings to sound even better, this upgrade is worth it. Even for budget Hi-Fi setups.

This entire time I thought some of my vinyls were just poorly pressed... clearly not the case after I installed this needle. Every one of my records now sounds inCREDIBLE I cannot even believe the difference. I went from A.M. Radio needle to FLAC needle in a matter of a very well spent $150. Whoever cant hear the difference between their stock needle & this one is either deaf or just does not care about their musics audio quality.

Barely any different than the $30 at vmn 95. May last longer but definitely doesnt quiet down records, I would say however, that older vinyl do sound better, however unless you just have cash to spend or people to impress, Im not convinced its 5x the price upgrade from the green 95 series. If you are putting it on a sub $500 turntable, you are better off just saving up for a better table like a Rega 3 or something.

The sound quality is fantastic! This is quite an upgrade and worth each penny it costs!

Im a relative newcomer to the recent vinyl craze, so my experience with phonograph cartridges is pretty much limited to the Audio Technica AT-VM95E. I recently purchased my first turntable, a Technics SL-D2, which goes through an Art DJ PRE II phono preamp to a rather well-used and not particularly special set of Technics SB-SL501 speakers powered by an equally not-ultra-special Denon AVR-1602. The turntable came from ePray with a seemingly very-well-used Audio Technica AT95E phono cartridge, so I preemptively purchased a new Audio Technica AT-VM95E to replace it. Of course, once I installed it, I calibrated the tonearm counterweight and aligned the cartridge using a printed protractor. On well-produced records that are in good condition, this combination produced acceptable results - for approximately the first 2/3 of such a record, then I started experiencing rather noticeable inner-groove distortion. Sibilance was also prevalent throughout the entirety of any record I played. I decided this was unacceptable, and perused online forums for an answer. I learned that microlinear and Shibata-style stylii were much less prone to IGD and sibilance than elliptical stylii, and it was suggested that instead of purchasing a new cartridge, I purchase a replacement microlinear stylus for the AT-VM95E cartridge I already had. Swapping the stylus out is a breeze, and just to be sure, I double-checked the cartridge alignment with my protractor and adjusted the VTF down slightly to ~2.0g (I had been running the VM95E at about 2.2g). Problem solved. Inner-groove distortion has been reduced to the point that Im not totally sure I can even detect it. To test for sibilance, I played one of the most sibilant tracks I have on a record in my (albeit small) collection: So You Say by The Manhattan Transfer. Not a lick of sibilance. Where the VMN95E stylus made the track almost un-listenable, this one made it sound amazing. Im just starting out in the hobby, but Ive got to say that if I could go back, I probably would have just bought the AT-VM95ML instead of the AT-VM95E in the first place. Everything Ive played thus far that Id also played with the VMN95E cartridge installed sounds so much more defined with the VMN95ML stylus. Definitely worth it as far as this customer is concerned.

Amazing upgrade. Tracks like a bloodhoud. Has a extremely flat response paired with the correct preamp. The V series which replicates the cutting head angle with the double magnet placement is extremely accurate. If aligned correctly, NO distortion especially on the inner groove or with siblance.