Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML Microlinear Replacement Turntable Stylus Red

This stylus is audiophile life changing - the accolades written convinced me to upgrade and the end results are as written - the multichannel capabilities of this stylus give new listening depth and nuances that were originally intended. The listening sounds like you are in studio listening to everything intended by the producers - like listening to studio tracks, individual tracks, harmonies meant to sweeten the tracks, instrumental touches - they were there all along and you can finally enjoy your collection fully. Really amazing!

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.

My wife purchased a really good direct drive audio technica Turntable over the summer, I have been collecting vinyl for about a year and a half. I have a wide range of music from the 70s to today. I was handed some vinyl from my father that he has had for many many years. Some of it has been played so much that the records are looking slick. The stylus that came with my turntable would just glide over some of the records, thinking to myself that these records are shot, but i am not going to get rid of them since they came from my father. I also noticed as i played these older records, the sound just seemed kind of muffled and staticky, figured i would start searching for ways to improve the sound of my records. With the money my wife spent on this turntable, i would have never though the factory needle would be the problem. I upgraded from a middle of the road Sony turntable, and to be honest the sony sounded better, that was until i came across this stylus and started reading the reviews. I took a chance and said with the money i have spent on my collection, i am going to purchase this stylus and see if it helps my situation. Let me just say this, if you are hesitating on purchasing this stylus because of the cost or you are not sure it will improve the sound quality. Hesitate no more, the positive reviews are spot on. This stylus is so good, I can now listen to my fathers old worn out slick records, on top of that, the sound quality is outstanding. I would give more than 5 stars if i could. Too bad they do not install this stylus on the out of the box turntables.

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 bought this, like many others, to replace a VMN95E. This product sounded great from the first time I dropped the needle. So much less surface noise than the elliptical and a much more expansive and full sound. It already blew me away and I havent even gotten through the break in period. I purchased this line of AT products to help tune up an old 1200 mk2 that had been sitting for over 20+ years. I love how easy it is to start with the base cartridge and upgrade the stylus down the line. Ill get around to double checking alignment, but I was too excited to hear it to go through that before my first listen. I doubt itll need adjustment though. The price might seem a bit crazy, especially if youre new to TTs or getting back into it after a long hiatus, but its worth every penny. Plus, I believe it has the longest recommended play time out of the entire line. Awesome, awesome purchase.

I bought this as an upgrade from my VM95E. The difference in performance is dramatic. The tracking is greatly improved, rendering inner-groove distortion and congestion a thing of the past. It tracks just as beautifully as my old AT440MLA, with a more natural sound signature. The microline stylus digs deep to retrieve details that a conical or elliptical stylus simply cannot reach. It also greatly reduces surface noise. The sound on well-pressed records is so engrossing, you’ll want to keep playing music for hours on end. I still keep my elliptical and conical styli for records in really rough shape, but this stylus is suitable for pretty much anything you’d want to play. It is pricey, but the sound and stylus longevity more than make up for it. For most people, this is the last stylus you’ll ever need. There may be “better,” but it’s a matter of diminishing returns beyond this level of performance. Take proper care installing and aligning, and you’ll want to listen to your entire record collection all day long. And honestly, that’s what this hobby is all about.

This stylus is wonderful, your music is more clearer with better bass tones. For the money the best upgrade for the AT LS 120X turtable.

If you have the AT LPW40WN [or a turntable with a stock at-vmn95e cartridge (the green one)] you NEED to pull the trigger on this one. It takes the listening experience from a realistic 7 to a solid 9.5. About where I came from (atvmn95e) cartridge: When I originally purchased my turntable and spun some of my records I found that the mid-range of the vmn95e cartridge had more to desire from. It felt hidden in a way. The lows were just a bit boomy and the highs were too much in my face, which made me fatigued after a couple of LPS. All this being said I still found myself satisfied with the performance of the atvmn95e (as so many other vinyl listeners do). After replacing the cartridge with this new one I found an immediate tangible difference between the twos reproduction. The at - vmn95ML immediately fixed the sonic discrepancies I found above. The bass tightened up and leveled out, the mids became fuller and more present, and the highs sound became much more precise but all much less fatiguing (this for me was the big seller of satisfaction). Additionally, the new needle significantly decreased the pops, crackles, and excess noise that I experienced with my previous cartridge—what a sweet bonus. Keep in mind that this is the immediate difference. (AMAZING!) As other reviewers mention after 20-30 hours of break-in period the sound signature of the cartridge will come into its own. I will update my experience after 40 ish hours (to be safe) and place it below. Why should you get this cartridge? THE PRICE: At roughly $160 after tax and whatnot, its a steal for 1000 hours of great playback. Comparing it to the atvmn95e which comes in stock on many at turntables, its both cheaper in the long haul and a quality of sound upgrade. The e is typically about $50-60 and is rated for 300 hours which works out to be around 20 cents an hour give or take a couple pennies. Or about $200 for 1000 hours. The ML is around $160, after tax and is rated at 1000. So a saving of 40 bucks :)! EASY SWITCH OUT: If you have a cartridge that is already from the 95 series its an easy unplug and replug of the new stylus! (no need to waste money on a new headshell and cartridge! SOUND QUALITY: The micro liner design helps the stylus reach deeper into the grooves of your records ensuring accurate tracking and reducing distortion as a result. It really is a difference you will notice on the first spin. If you are contemplating pulling the trigger on this stylus, do It. You will NOT regret it.

Was a little hesitant given the high price tag, but after a bit of listening, I can confidently say it is well worth it. Sound quality is vastly improved, even on my budget setup. Way better than the stock VM95e on the LP120x. No adjustment needed to alignment, balance, or tracking force, even though I did it anyway just to be sure. Inner groove distortion is greatly reduced if existent at all as well as sibilance. However, I havent noticed much difference in terms of surface noise, though perhaps some might find the improved sound quality helps them ignore whatever ticks/pops are in their records easier. Rated for 1000 hours, so I will definitely buy another one of these when the time is up.