Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML Microlinear Replacement Turntable Stylus Red

Sounds great and was easy to swap out.

As a relative newcomer to vinyl, I really couldnt have ever justified dropping over $100 on a stylus upgrade, but after I got an SL-1600, I figured it was worth trying to push the envelope a little bit. Ive previously been using the budget conical C stylus for the past year and while thats a surprisingly good sounding stylus for the VM95 considering how inexpensive it is, the ML stylus really elevates this cartridge to a whole other level. I also tried the middle of the road EN before this stylus, and Id say the ML is still worth the extra cost. Its important to note that being a microline stylus, the ML is a lot more sensitive to fine adjustment than the standard conicals or ellipticals. As the saying goes, a cheap stylus properly set up will sound better than an expensive stylus improperly set up. Its important to take your time setting up the ML and ensuring your tracking force, anti-skate, overhang, angle, and VTA are all dialed in. VTA is certainly a tricky one if your turntable doesnt have an adjustment for it, otherwise youll just have to make do with shims or a thicker slipmat to bring that tonearm parallel with the platter. With setup out of the way, itll take some time for the stylus to fully break in but almost immediately I noticed an appreciable improvement in sound quality. The microlines shape is such that it sits deeper in the groove than a traditional elliptical, so it picks up finer nuances of record that you otherwise wouldnt hear with a regular stylus, and the sound is very crisp without losing much, if any of the punch I liked from the conical. Its also less noisy - pops dont seem to be nearly as prominent as on the conical. In laymans terms, this is like switching from a pair of Walmart brand earbuds to Bose. The former is perfectly serviceable and will satisfy most peoples needs, but youre going to get what you pay for with the latter. The shape also means its just a far more stable tracking stylus and is less prone to groove skipping than an elliptical. I ran the ML though some of my more worn 80s records, and it tracks right through imperfections I wouldve otherwise heard on one of the other styli. I think this is also in part to its listed 1000 hour lifespan - the tip geometry is optimized to the groove shape that it wears more evenly, versus the E and EN ellipticals at 300 hours each. Youd likely be on your third or fourth E or EN by the time an ML gets close to needing to be replaced. So in some weird way, this ends up being a more value conscious option. Overall, Id say the ML is a worthwhile upgrade for anybody looking to move up to a higher-end VM95 stylus. Versus the conical C, its a night and day difference in sound quality. The nude elliptical EN is certainly closer in sound quality, but the ML is not much more money, tracks better, and lasts significantly longer. Not that theres anything wrong with any of the less expensive styli - theyre all very good, especially the C and E for the price. If anything, the MLs finicky nature is its main drawback. If you dont have a setup that can accommodate its precise setup requirements, then any of the less expensive styli might be a better choice. And the price - $149 isnt bad relatively speaking but understandably, not everyone can justify it. But if you can make either of those work, chances are that youre really going to like this stylus.

Sonic performance with this stylus Is unbelievable at this price point

I got this to bring old vinyl back to life which it does but I got a bonus. With a cheap AT-LP-3 turntable and a cheap Yamaha amp Decent speakers like Kirksaeter center channel and Dayton BR-1 front and and rearsrunning 5channel stereoI getting sound equal to my old Stromberg Carlson Intregated with desent table and cartridge and Bose 301s that I had in the 1970s. Im now getting sound equal to that old system that I missed for so long. And the stylus isnt even broken in yet. wow very nice. Well worth the price if you are looking for flat warm tube like sound from the 60 and 70s. I though the sylus may be bent slightly but that must be the way its made. I lined it up with a arch protractor that audio technica sent and it tracks perfectly and low surface noise also. Well done Audio Technica.

Replaced a 95E stylus that although I felt was very good, only to be amazed at the frequency response of this stylus! It put new sounds in my old albums and made some of them quieter! I was hesitant to buy this because of price jump but am very glad I did now. Edit: 01/19/2022 Using a audio technica turntable LPW40WN (which is amazing for the price!). Had problem since the beginning of use that the stylus would always want to jump toward the middle when lowering with lever. Called a younger and wiser friend to look at it. When settings were all checked they were as recommended but when I put a blank sided lp I have on the turntable and lower the stylus it immediately jumps to the center? In order to adjust it to where it remains more stationary I have to set the anti skate to 4 (the highest setting it will go). Both the vm95EN and vm95E stylus are set around 2 on the adjustment knob with no problem. I contacted Audio Technicas service department with this problem as uneven pressure will not only damage stylus but grooves on the Albums. The only assistance they would give me is the statement Thank you for your inquiry. Using a blank record is not necessarily the best test for antiskate. It is best to listen for inner groove distortion when the stylus is on a song toward the end of the record. from Rick Joyner Manager, Audio Solutions., [email protected] Further checking under a magnifying glass shows a couple of fibers stuck in the bonding compound of the needle that are unremovable a manufacturing and QC problem. At $149.00 this is inexcusable. Further checking on the net has turned up others complaining of same problem with no solutions. I am going to be upgrading to the VM530EN series as I still love the turntable but will buy from a local supplier so that I can talk face to face if there is a problem. BEWARE AND CHECK BEFORE YOU CAN NOT RETURN!

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.

Bought this to replace the stock VMN95E on my TT. I dont hear any discernible improvement.

I bought the AT VM95E cartridge for a Rega P1. The elliptical stylus was okay, so I replaced it with the Microline stylus (uses the already setup and aligned body from the VM95E). The difference is very clear, even with my older ears. Better bass, less distortion. Nice thing with the ATvm95 series is you can switch the stylus around and do AB testing without having to remount the cartridge body. Might try the SH stylus next.

Got this one for my AT-LP5x. Well, it sounds richer in high range and more clear at low range. Definitely, this is my main stylus now. But dont expect much for the money you paid. It has just a slight difference, and only if you have mid-hi quality audio system and good ears. Other than that, you will not hear much difference between your default stylus and this one. I use internal phono, maybe an external one will open it more for me. But again, if the money is not a problem - I recommend this one! Good upgrade, definitely.