AT VM95 Microline Cartridge: A GEM at $169!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- Are you looking for a low-noise MICROLINE Cartridge for a budget, vintage or used turntable? You might want to give the Audio-Technica VM95ML a look... and a listen! I think its a real value at only $169
Get the AT VM95ML Microlinear MM Cartridge here:
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Ortofon 2M Blue MM Cartridge:
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Nagaoka MP-110 MM Cartridge:
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Sumiko Moonstone MM Cartridge:
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Hudson Hi-Fi Acrylic Turntable Mat:
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Ampapa A1 Tube Phono Preamp:
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NEW! Denon DD Turntable:
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Boy do I know the feeling about being a steward of any equipment that has been around longer than ten years or so, especially when it's 50 years old, or modern stuff that has been discontinued.
Amen, Brother!
I've used several microline stylus' over the years so I'll share my extensive experience here. When playing a vintage used record that the original owner played with a traditional size/width stylus, their stylus tip never touched the bottom of the groove . . . and that's precisely where the microline resides, on virgin goove no matter how old your disc is. Also, the innermost 1" to 1.5" of the record (where distortion and dull upper frequencies are "normal playback") tracks magnificently using a microline stylus. The Beatles recording "I'll Be Back" is the last song of 7 on side two of 'A Hard Day's Night' UK, and the ONLY clear playback of this track I have ever heard was with a microline. Caveat: you get more detail with a shibata stylus, as it plays near the entire height of the groove. Your microline only plays the very bottom of that same groove. But shibata also finds distortion in that groove if the record is older, well played, not entirely clean, etc.
Wow! Thats a really great breakdown that shows you should have your own channel, not me!😅Great info that I will plagerize in future videos I'm sure! Thanks for reinforcing my ML purchase decision! Please come back and share more knowledge with this new community!
The best thing about the AT-VM95 series is how you can start off with the dirt cheap conical and then make your way up the ladder as high as your budget will allow. I have the Technics SL-100C which came with that conical and it sounded amazing. I had the ML stylus at the time from another turnatble and put that on right away and the difference was huge, obviously. The EN is also worthy of consideration as that sounds almost as good as the ML, hardly anything in it as far as I am concerned. The SH is good but costs more and has a shorter life so I tend to avoid those ones, good as they are, they are just not a great investment. But if you can get the ML then you should, it is amazing :D
Two years ago I bought an Audio Technica LP120x as a second table for 78 rpm duty - it of course comes with the VM95E elliptical. My Technics GR on the other hand has VM95ML microline. The LP120x readily accepted the various headshells that had 78 rpm styli equipped cartridges with ease, but I was sorta dreading taking the red ML stylus off the GR and using it on the LP120x to investigate the real limitations of that deck with well mastered vinyl. Hah! What a hoot - the LP120x seems to be a cleverly designed deck that has a nice energetic yet controlled sound in spite of being made of plastic. That VM95 cartridge and the upgradable family of styli doesn't get enough discussion...
comparing to the at-95e the ML has better everything ,,definition ,seperation the highs are crstal clear
and even tho I noticed a reduction in low end volume ,I also noticed a better clarity and definition in the low end .
I was on the fence after listening to several non hard rock type albums with more spacious instrumentation
than i put on my 1st pressing of Aerosmith -Rocks which has a very hard hitting and punch in the face sound
wow ...this combination of cartridge and vinyl was amazing ,and sounded even more killer when i cranked it up
so my opinion for now is this is a great cartridge for typical classic hard rock with heavy mid range guitars and vocals,,,and still sounds quite good on more tame typical "audiophile approved" vinyl classics
Nice informative video! Tampa, Florida representing. Man, the comments on this post are pure gold too. I was hunting details on this exact unit so thanks!
@@Steveostones I'm glad you're here and that I could be of service... and yes, the comments can be priceless! One of my favorite ones was simply... "out"
That's a floating subchassis turntable, isolating the acoustically sensitive bits from the vibrations of the surroundings and - more importantly I think - those of the motor itself. (From Budapest, Hungary)
Hello, Budapest. Thanks for laying it out for me. Makes sense. I'm happy to have the Thorens!
I'm running the vm95ml on my technics sl1200 MKII and really enjoy it. Also, hello from the mitten state, grand rapids michigan
@@bearded_wolverine3503 I have a 95ml on a Fluance RT81+ Elite.
Hi just subscribed from th Uk.ive got the shibater stylus fro audio technica fantastic for the frice 😊👍
Cool! The Shibata may be my next purchase!
Greetings from Chillicothe, Ohio’s first AND third capital!
You’re doing God’s work, Bob, and I am eternally grateful!
Would you say the sound quality is on par with the Ortofon 2M Blue or not quite? I recently picked up a Zu Audio modified Denon DL-103 and am really struggling with the sibilance. I’m more concerned with quiet and smooth than hearing every last detail at the expense of terrible surface noise.
Blue is good! I think my Sumikos are a little mellower. Sibilance is evil and can get into your head. But lots of things can cause it and sometimes it's just in the recording and you can't do anything about it. Maybe try a microline or shibata. Hey, it's a mystery wrapped in an enigma! Happy hunting!
What a fun new channel that has popped up in my algorithm. For me, I'll leave cartridge installation to the experts. I have a rather tricky tonearm to deal with. Las Vegas, NV. Wilson Bensch turntable and ACT -2 arm, with their Analog cartridge.
Hello Mike, i didn‘t see a mark in Germany😊.
I am using the VM95ML as well as the VM95SH with a Thorens TD145 and a Technics SL-QD2. Thea sound really great. On my third TT, an Thorens. TD 2001, i use a Denon DL103 wich is a cheap MC System. It is about 200 € and it Sounds really great with an old Grundig Fine arts A9000, weich offers the possibililty to connect a MC System. I cantell you, the VM95 is great, but the Denon, in my System, is killing them all. Kind regards from germany
Hey there. Thanks for sharing your system with me! Way cool! Guttenberg just did a cool review of a new Denon DD TT
I just upgraded a month ago to the AT-VM95ML/H. And I immediately noticed a huge difference in that micro line cartridge's sound compared to the AT-VM95EN/H I had been using. I know, most people don't buy the /H model with the headshell. But I'm legally blind and I really need the easiest route to getting the job done when fooling WHITE the stylus. I just hate that it costs me $30 extra each time I have to buy a new cartridge. And during the last 3 years of using the elliptical nude cartridge, well let's just say I had to go through a lot of them since they only have reportedly a 300 life as opposed to the ML cartridge with a 1,000 hour life .
But anyhow, I immediately noticed many of the things you mentioned. It literally seemed to clear up some of the pops and clicks I was used to hearing on some albums. The stereo separation was so much better also and the whole soundstage was much better as well as the sound itself. I really didn't know what I had been missing until I got that micro line cartridge for $200. It's my understanding that the needle makes contact and follows the grooves much better with the micro line cartridge. It does a better job of reading the data and it really makes better contact when compared to something like the elliptical nude cartridge I had been using. But I definitely won't be going back to what I had been using. I was quite surprised at how great of a difference the ML cartridge produced.
Brian in Fort Worth 🎶
Many advantages to a Vintage Host... Glad you do what you do. Enjoyed this and many other videos.
Thank you so much! You will have the satisfaction of knowing that you were here in the beginning!😀Thank so much!
Brisbane Queensland Australia Knackers.
Australia is coming on strong in the USofA! I love it!
Ide go along with that. Good basic turntable. If you couldn't afford a Linn Lp 12 and want some similar design characteristics. I have a TD 160.Basic but very competent would out being a pain . . If you wanna play a 45rpm record on a Linn you need to buy an extra collar to go around the motor pulley that drives the belt. . On your Thorens turn a dial. Cartridge installation is a hassle agree. I need to be on my ADHD meds for a task like this lol. Got to get my old banger going again too. Love your honesty.
Hey, I can't lie! Thanks for watching my young channel. We are making great strides!
I run moving coils but I have to agree on this AT. It sounds wonderful.
You are damn right, i play the AT VM95 at a technics 1210MKII, sounds amazing, greetz from Germany!
Big like!👍👍👍👍👍✅💪Felicitări! Great video 👍👍👍😎a warm greeting from Romania!
You can add Denmark to your map.
Technics SL-3300, thinking obout upgrading to this stylus.
I 😍 analog hifi and music on vinyl - 🤗 from Norway
Hello, Norway! Greetings from USodA! Keep the hi-fi dream alive!
Bob, I have this cart. It’s really terrific. I replace a 2M Blue that the cantilever just crashed on me. I was really surprised how much better I like this one. Oh and Raleigh, NC. This is an edit. I love the Thorens. I had a TD160 I think it was. God I hate I got rid of it.
Thank God I got it right!!! Thanks for watching!
I sure am glad that you like it! I would feel like an ass if you didn't!
I went crazy with mounting a cart on a Thorens once. What makes it difficult is those screws you need with the special threading. I'm not sure, but I think they're called "metric" thread screws. I'd like to get a nice Thorens 125 some day, but the prices went sky high.
I have an AT turntable that came with a VM95E cartridge. I was debating whether to go with the ML or the SH replacement stylus when the 95E wears out. ML is $20 less but you get longer playing time. I even like the sound of the 95E through my NAD system and Vandersteen 3CE's. Greetings from Toms River, NJ
Thanks for this review. I own a Technics 1700. Actually, it's a 1710, which is the champaign version. Right now, I have an Ortofon Blue on it now but it's now 7 1/2 years old so I'm looking for something different. Will this cartridge work well with the 1700's tonearm? I am also looking at the VM95SH. I've searched on-line for but can't find definite info on this. My phono pre amp is the Vista Audio Phone II, which has DIP switches to adjust load and gains for various cartridges.
Modern turntables with subchassis? Yes, there are some. Examples: The new Thorens TD 1500 and TD 1600, but not cheap, nearly 3000 Euros.
Also, the rated hours for the vm95ml is 1000 hours of play, which, considering the 95E isnrated at 300, males this upgrade an overall excellent choice for value for money
@@bearded_wolverine3503 Great note... thanks!
The micro-line is fantastic, but my cat destroyed it after only two weeks! I had to take the Shibata to replace it ’cause there weren’t any of the former in stock at the time. I like the former better, too-it’s a bargain for what it does! Peace.
Hi from the West country in the UK! I haven't played vinyl for ages but I am in the process of restoring an old Linn Axis turntable. Motor board is now fixed (awful design) and I am expecting an AT VM95e to be delivered today. Not as good as your ML version, but I thought I would give it a go and maybe upgrade the stylus at a later date, as the body is the same.
Hi Bob I’m from Doha, Qatar
Outstanding! Thanks for the sub and your location!
a bit late to the show...but I'm in Ireland (ROI), in the Midlands, so you can finally pin this Emerald Isle on your map.
Great video Bob! Brad from Vancouver B.C. Canada here. Currrently using the at95en (orange cart) on my turntables right now. I swap in a conical cart when playing old 45s and old mono lps. Would the micro line be substantial upgrade to the nude elliptical I am using and really like so far. Just wondering if the upgrade would be a good one for me. Love this line from Audio technica for the value and decent quallity. Any opinions or thoughts would be appreciated.
Cheers.
I love this line of interchangeable styli. The ML stays on 90% of the time but I switch to the 95C for old worn records. It’s very forgiving. Sure, I could sell the commuter for a high end cartridge, but it’s supposed to be below zero this weekend so I’ll stick with the 95
Right on... I might pick up a spare 95 stylus for old records!
Looking to upgrade the carbon on a Rega P1 after owning for a couple of years. This would be great but think i'll go for the green version (100e cheaper) to start with then later on I can just upgrade just the stylus. It's great that they're all inter-changable.
Put a pin in Madrid, Spain
Sycamore, IL. I’ve had my eye on this cartridge for a couple of years now. I just haven’t pulled the trigger given its price. I use the one below it, the green one, on my Audio Technica LP120BT. I just got a new green cartridge tor about $60 on Amazon. Loved to learn about how these two cartridges sound to each other on the same turntable.
I’ve used a AT VM95 ML stylus on my Linn K9 cart and it sounds great
Wow! More validation that I have chosen well! Thanks for watching!
Another entertaining and informative video. I have a Audio-Technica VM95C on my Denon DP300F that I use to play thrift store records. It’s a great little cartridge. There seems less annoying pops and clicks on well used records with the conical stylus. I know how one can get attached to vintage gear. I am the original owner of a Sansui SR 2050 turntable with a Shure 91e cartridge from the 1970’s. Changing the belt and stylus occasionally and with an annual lubrication, it still works fine. Best wishes from San Jose, California.
Another great vid Bob thanks dude.
I've got a pair each of Ortofon OM10s in different heads that've been using on my Pioneer and Harman/Kardon turntables which are both vintage beasties I've had for over 30 years each.
Rock on! Vintage tables are the coolest! Thanks!
Chitown Bobfather, but you knew that! I love the AT cart line. I use a couple, VM540ML MM cart and an OC9XML MC cart. I prefer AT over Ortofon. Nice table. Great video as usual my friend. Thx.
Already pinned you, Brother! I want to try a 540! Thanks, Ed!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalogDo what I did and buy it pre-mounted. Saves a ton of grief.
Hi Bob! Really, really nice Player, the Thorens! Don't worry about 1000s opinions of combining cartridges with turntables 😉. In my opinion an Ortofon 2MBlue match with the SL1200. I also use the VM95ML for my vintage turntable Sony PS-X60 and this combination plays wonderful. The AT-VM95ML is a really very good sounding cartridge and (in my opinion) unbeatable in value for money 🙂
I just haven't heard many people talk about it. Glad you agree! Appreciate your early support of my dumb channel!
TH-cam channel "bens audio cave" teaches about hoe to figure compliance. I stepped down to the cheaper and lighter weight Ortofon Super OM 5e. with 4.0 output. It sounds surprisingly good enough to my ears.
I'll check that out! Thanks!
Your tonearm mass is 7.5 and using the vinyl engine calculator you are good and in the upper level of green, but the heavier Ortofon is a better match. Your ears are the ultimate test.
Herbert Reichert mentioned in particular these low budget Audio Technica cartridges in one of his videos of which he recommend and had high praise for.
love your channel and your humor.
keep going on strong 👊
Thanks for the support! I thought my take was new!
bob, really enjoying your content and presentation. Put another pin in the map for Charlotte NC! You would probaby laugh at my current set up. its alot of Goodwill and garage sale finds. but im super stoked because ive saved up and im looking to the the Rotel Tribute 11 Intergraded amp. Keep the videos coming youve been on a roll!
Appreciate that! The Tribute looks cool! Go for it now, ask questions later!
I just ordered the AT VM95ML/H that I’m going to use on a reconditioned Technics 1300mll. It will be replacing a Shure 97xe., hopefully it will sound as good as the reviews say. Liberty lake, Washington
I think you'll be in great shape!
Dundee, OR, Best Pinot Noir in the world (well at least in OR)
I just ordered the ml stylus! We will see if I notice the difference.
None from Nevada !? Well here you go!
Queens,NYC. Currently I am running a Hana ML cart on a MoFi StudioDeck. My two SL 1200 MKIi’s have Ortofon Concord carts on them. I Have my Dad’s Technics SL 1600 MKII that I need a complete service to bring it back to its original condition. Maybe next year in 25’. Great Video. Expensive doesn’t always mean better
My mother was born in the Queens!!! How is the Concord? Was that Dude right that I shouldn't have the Blue on my 1200mk7? According to the manual it meets the specs. But I see a lot of technics with those "pointy" carts! Thanks for the watch!
3:02 I saw exacly this type of suspension on a Lenco L-30 turntable! The turntable itself is of low quality, but still interesting choice!
Don't know much about Leno... what would you compare them to?
Hi Bob!
One time I won an iPod from you for identifying the first ten seconds of St. Alfonzo’s Pancake Breakfast!
Should I update my Ortofon red with the blue stylus?? Houston TX
100%! The Blue is significantly better in my opinion! Go for it! Use my link!🥹
howdy there Bob I’m from a little town between Rochester and Syracuse NY, Newark. GO BILLS.
I went to Syracuse University for my freshman year! I was born near Utica, NY
Hey Bob - checking in from fabulous Oklahoma City.
Love those thorens tables! I always look for them around here, but I haven’t found one yet.
I’ve got the VM95E on my VPI Cliffwood, and I’ve thought about picking up the ML. Thanks for the rundown!
It would be a nice upgrade, I think!
Great review of the turntable and cartridge. I love my Audio Technica cartridge too, although it happens to be a moving coil, also with an exotic stylus profile.
Decks with suspended sub-chassis were made popular by Thorens, Linn and Pink Triangle among others back in the late seventies and eighties. Whilst your currency conversion and inflation calculation may indicate a value of $1,400 today, I think that’s a long way wide of what a suspended sub-chassis deck actually works out at now. In the UK (Chester btw) the cheapest Linn LP12 is £3,700 and I’m guessing that’s close to $5,000 after shipping and taxes.
Wow! Thanks for the insight! I guess I better hang on the the Thorens! I dropped a pin on Chester!
Hi Bob. Great review about a great decently price cart. I have an important question for you: What about that Toblerone bar? Did you enjoy it?
It made me break out! I'm going to stick with KitKats!
The three point floating suspension was invented by AR It's original XT. Thorens copied it, My first AR I got in 1964. Then I got the Thorens TD 166 because the tone arm on the AR was so so. Then I got the New AR table, a real masterpiece. Then like everybody a went to CD's. I may be wrong but the Lynn Sondek also had the three point suspension, Today isolation is done by mere mass but nothing beats the floating suspension. I still have the new AR but the Sumiko MMT needs repairs. I have other tables now: Fluance, Audio Technica and U Tur. As for cartridges I am a gan of Gradps. The prestige black is a gem. I have the Black, blue, red and the prestige Gold. very musical. Nice posts. I wish you a great new year. BTW I'm a follower of your channe.
Should I make my Thorens my main table! It's hard to gauge vintage vibe and quality vs new technology!
Hi from Luxembourg !
Hello! Welcome back!
I have the VM95ML/H coming tomorrow, along with a VM95C/H for my polystyrene 45 rpm records from the '60s. I got them both with the head shell for quick swapping depending on what I'm playing. I prefer the micro linear type stylus, and I still have my Dual CS-5000 with an
AT-140ML I bought in the '90s.
Coolio! Thanks for sharing your system with me!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog
Most welcome sir!
Hi, writing from Grebbestad in Sweden. That is great cartridge, got that one for my secondary turntable 👍🏻
Hey, Ishould apologize to you for my IKEA turntable review? If so, I'm sorry. But I can't lie!
First time watching you,Love the content and presentation,can really see your love and appreciation for affordable but good sound👍.All the best from Sweden
Thank you so much! Like everything else in life we must have the old and the new! Thanks for watching!
Love the vintage Thorens turntables. Love the channel. Remember Hi fi has lots of rules and rules are meant to be broken… 😂 Jack, from Sydney, Australia
Entered! Appreciate the support! You get it! I'll be back with more! Stay cool down under!
Music City USA! That is a great cartridge line. I just sold a VM95SH and upgraded to their VM750SH that I got for half off during the holiday sales!
I want to try a 540ml. Have some hot chicken for me!
AT VM95ML is a real game changer. The one thing thats worth saying is that this series of carts has a relatively low recommended input capacitance (100-200pf) as is quite sensitive to this so it important your system (phono leads and phono preamp) is in this range for optimal frequency response
Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas. Great video. I just bought a Goldring e4 and love it! The Thorens is a great turntable.
I've heard good things about Goldring! Thanks for the watch!
Hi Bob, nice review of this cartridge. Audio technica appear to offer a great range for all pockets.
They have been consistently good!
Greetings from St. Thomas US Virgin Islands.
Wish I was there right now!
I saw myself waving to you on the map! Nice review. Very aluminumating. Recently got Ortofon Blue but will try this AT next when the Blue conks out. I like Toblerone but you gotta watch out for the little bits getting stuck in the teeth.
You'll have to have them all pulled after the Savoy Truffle!
Checking in from San Luis Obispo, CA. Love your energy, enthusiasm, honesty, humbleness, and wry humor.
Thanks! I think you described me pretty well... but, my wife might want to add a few more words that aren't as complimentary!
A nude, square shank! Exactly what I've been looking for. Really nice review! Good to see some old fashioned analog equipment being reviewed on the United States of analog channel. Feels right.
I feel like if I do 51% or more analog content, than I can keep my name! Thanks for watching!
Subscribed and liked 👍 good stuff man
Dana Point, Ca
Thanks! Appreciate you!
Enjoying the cartridge talk. 🍻
Happy to provide it!
Hello, Gogo from Slovenia here. I had this head on a previous turntable and can confirm that it is outstanding for the price. Because my wife bought me a rega 3 planar for my birthday, I sold the previous one.
Thanks, Gogo! Appreciate your comment! Glad we agree on the 95!
Those 95 series carts are excellent value. My favourite cart is the Hana SL moving coil I have fitted to my Clearaudio Performance SE deck. I also have a Mofi Studiodeck I picked up cheap because the dust cover was cracked. It has the standard Mofi cartridge, and I am very happy with that. Just before Xmas I picked up a fully automatic Technics linear tracking deck from the 80s on eBay. It has the original Technics cart and still sounds great.
But....yesterday I fitted the single greatest addition to my Clearaudio with its thick translucent platter. LED lights !! Super awesome discotastic mood lighting. Epilepsy warnings mandatory. I swear it sounds better. You all need LED lights right now.
I heard the MoFi 's are ATs in n disguise. I also have a Studiodeck and Mastertracker!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalogi did not know that. I am going to go upstairs right now and squint at my Mofi cartridge suspiciously.
Hi! I have used the Shibata version of the 95 a couple of times as it was even cheaper than the ML when the Shibata wason a discount. Awesome cartridge for the money. I also have a Thorens TD160 from 1973 in white. It cost me about the price of the rather new Denon DL 110 HOMC that is on it. This table would according to your calculations have sold in the 1500-2000 USD range today. And it does not play significantly different than a table/ arm/ cartridge combo in the 3-4 kUSD range today… a vintage TT that has not been messed with can really be a bargain. Rock on!
Different-better or worse? Thanks!
I would not dare to say the Thorens is better or even a match area by area. But it is sitting side by side with a current more expensive deck in my setup. I do not feel I am missing out on anything specific when I use it, which I mainly do for used records that I have not put through a thorough cleaning routine. The TD 160 is a very competent turntable all around.
Harrisonburg Va.
Spokane, WA - Bob, The Audio Technica line has lots of options between Cartridges, Headshells, and even replaceable Styli. Their website is very informative. However, I really enjoyed your review. Keep it up!
Thanks! I felt like after the sad JBL TT reviews needed to do something positive! Thanks for the watch!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog Might want to make a shootout comparison of the Ikea, the Sound Burger, JBL, and a Crosley. A fun-fi scale....?
Modesto, California 1974 Sansui FR-5080 Sumiko Wellfleet cartridge
How is the Welfleet? My love for Sumikos is sometimes challenged. I like my Moonstone but the output is so low!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog
I really like it. the noise floor is very low and the clarity and detail is outstanding. I use an IFI Zen phono preamp that has variable gain settings so low output isn't an issue.
Enjoyed your vid. Southern California. Running a Dual CS721 DD turntable (expertly refurbed) with a Grado Prestige Gold Cart. Also have a Shure V15 Type III with a hyperelliptical stylus. Actually prefer the warmth of the Grado. Using a Schiit Mani2 preamp which performs very well with this set up.
Groovy setup for shure! I had a stack of m97xe's I gave them all away over the years! Now they hey are expensive collector's items! Damn!
Also have an original Rega Planar 3 with a Magnepan unipivot arm with a Shelter 201 cart. Actually prefer the Dual but the Rega is also very good. My Philips 212 is in need of repair to the head assembly. Almost impossible to find good repair people for units this age.@@UnitedStatesofAnalog
Hello Mike here from Liverpool and London U.K. I agreed, this is a great budget cartridge. Terrific sound quality and gets rid of any nasty sibilance and reduces surface noise. I upgraded to the VM95SH (Shibata) version and it does all those things a little better again.
I also run the Nag MP110 which I really like mostly, but there is a big difference. As an example I bought the latest single disc PJ Harvey Stories from the Sea repress. Using the Nagaoka and it’s elliptical form, the whole album was distorted, sibilant and harsh. I was not happy at all and was going to take it back, but then I threw on the ATVM95SH and all of the problems just went away. I think it’s because the tip just gets down into the groove. The sound was detailed, bass controlled and the sound was really what I wanted to hear. Whereas the elliptical Nag got stuck at the top part of the groove. I suspect that getting a whole album onto one disc and the way they produced it created the distortion.
I still love the Nag on my daily deck, but for several of my albums I only spin them on the Shibata profile.
Wow... Liverpool! Never been. But I'm fascinated to go there. I'm such a Beatles nut! I'm reading Mail Evans biography, currently. Now you have me jonesing for a Shibata upgrade! Sounds like we think alike on this. Stay in touch. You can be my point man in Liverpool!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog haha, happy to be your correspondent. You can’t move for the Beatles around here. There’s the museum to start. But it’s part of the everyday fabric. There were a couple of young kids (10/11) busking in the local town centre and singing Beatles songs. There are plenty of other great Liverpool bands too.
Hi Bob,
Recent subscriber (and Thin Lizzy fan ) her from Chicago.
I have this AT cart on a Thorens 145 MkII and it sounds great.
Maybe a tad bright.
I've had the Nagaoka ( i liked ), and Otrofon Blue ( did not like)
Another great and (kinda) inexpensive cat is the Denon DL-110.
It's the most affordable moving moving-coil cart that I am aware of.
Thanks for the vid!
I would love to hear your impressions about the Blue!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog I generally find Ortofon carts to be very bright. I like warmer tones. I tried the Red and Blue, and while the Blue was a huge improvement, I still found it too pronounced on the high end. I wish carts were more affordable because I find them to be the heart and soul of a TT. Would love to try a bunch more of them.
Hi Steve here posting from Glasgow/ London.
Love the title of your channel
Thanks! Two great cities! I appreciate your support! Btw I do review some digital stuff too!
Linköping, Sweden here!
How do you compare the Audio Technica cartridge to the Grado Gold.
I haven't had any Grado cart in house for some time. Comparing here would be unfair.
Watching again fro the Philippines. Thank you for this info. I may have to try this cartridge.
That's for the return trip to USof A! We are glad you are here!
It's a suspended sub-chassis, developed by Ed Villchur for the original AR XA turntable....
Check out the big brain on Vinne! I didn't know that. But, I don't know a whole lot!😃Thanks for the info!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog anytime. Many of the "Classic" Tables in that late 50's -70's time frame used similar setups.
I think the Achillies' Heel of the AT VM95 series is the paltry 23db of channel separation. An Ortofon has twice the channel separation at 26db but costs 3 times as much LOL
You get what you pay for! Can you explain the math to this idiot...23 vs 26 = 2x?
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog decibels are an exponential scale, the intensity doubles every 3 dB. So a 23 dB signal would be half as loud as a 26 dB one. But still, I'm a happy owner of a VM95ML, and I haven't found the stereo imaging to be at all lacking. I had an OM cartridge but a line-contact stylus for that, OM-30, would have been $350+ which is silly when AT can sell me a new cart and line contact stylus for $170. And I'm glad I got it because it solved all my complaints about record playback... No more exaggerated sibilance and distortion at the end of a side!
Imho the VM95ML is still the best bang for the buck cartridge,especialy for
vintage turntables with medium mass tonearms.
I use it on a ’ 78 Sony PS-X6 and its realy good sounding,at least to my old ears.
The older our ears get, the less we need to spend on cartridges. There's a market opportunity here! Thanks for watching!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog Well,especialy in audiophile circles you get the impression that ears getting better with age.
And THAT market is big $$$...
Orillia, Ontario Canada.
Great cart review Bob…..keep ‘em coming!
Thanks! I appreciate the watch! Good hear from so many of you great Canadians!
I think the new flagship mofi the one above the ultra deck and vetere tables have suspensions like that.
I'll check that out! I have a Studiodeck! Thanks for watching!
I agree that this is a great little cart. I put on one my son's turntable and it sounds fantastic. In this world of sky-high prices, it's awesome to have an affordable piece of quality audio gear.
Lucky kid! Thanks for watching!
Derry, Ireland . I have this cartridge on a Project Debut turntable. Sounds fabulous.
Glad you're digging it! I dig Ireland. I've been 5 times!
practically Irish by this point 😸☘
The Sibilance on a Dire Straits recording would be SNORING! Hey no xspurt here either but Ive read so often that it’s way better to track at the heavier setting for your cartridge which I do and don't worry you wont wear out the records. Liked your vid on the “Sound Burger” only things I would buy made in China would be Peeking Duck Sauce or Fireworks but it was a good video.
Just about everything is made there. I will play around with tracking force when needed. Oh... and give Mark Knopfler and the boys another listen! Thanks!
British and American companies outsource nearly everything to China.
Steadily over the years they have become excellent!!
My power amp has Danish icepower boards 600wpc class D and is hand assembled in Britain. My speakers are fully british designed and manufactured down to the cones and cabinets.( Ruark and Neat)
My preamp however is a Chinese doge 8 clarity with 8 valves ( tubes to you 😂) Sounds stunning driving 600 wpc of pure power.
My phono stage is Hagerman trumpet MC hand built in the USA by jim hagerman and sent to me here in britain and uses 6 valves.
The turntable is a vintage Denon direct drive dp300. I have around 8 cartridges most are microline or shibata.
I think my system is very eclectic but sounds brilliant to my ears and over the years cost a few bob to assemble.
Recently for a bedroom system I bought a "claimed " 300wpc.chinese class D amp for around £100 with 2 inputs and a Bluetooth streamer built in from Ali express.
It is literally 1/40 the cost of my main preamp and power amp. But i stuck it in for a laugh to listen to the Cd /vinyl /streaming etc etc.
I wasnt laughing after an hour. I was in shock.
Of course it missed out the valve magic of course it didnt have that last ounce of absolute total power the power amp has but for something the size of a half a shoe box and £100 ( maybe 160 dollars) it was manifestly better than the old £1600 Arcam a39 I was in the process of selling.
Been running everyday for 3 years now
Brzhifi x10
Not trying to sell anything here but as an audio fan I was flabbergasted
Shocking for the money. Truly shocking.
Steve from Glasgow/ London
Hi
Love the title of your channel
🎵🎧🎸
I have this cartridge as well as the shibata SH version, colour brown. I like the SH better as think the micro-line is a bit brighter. May work great with a mellow phono pre-amp. I currently have this cartridge on a SL1200, but have used it with other turntables I have. They are a good match for Rega too, and these tables are fussy with cartridge dimensions. Thanks for sharing, from Portugal.
Portugal is my next stop I think! Good to hear from you and thanks for the info!
Oh.. and as I'm sure you know, my last name, Fonseca, is Portuguese!
What is that yellow platter? Great channel. From Terrace, BC Canada…
It's an acrylic mat. I have a link for it below my video! I think it helps deaden resonance and it quite inexpensive. When the light hits it right you also get this glowing neon border!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog Thanks for the reply! I just ordered one...
Greetings from Lublin, Poland. I'm just looking for information about this cartridge, so I'm grateful for this video. thanks buddy!
I think it an incredible value!
I think it an incredible value!
I feel like you were reading my mind when you made this video. I’m looking to add a higher end, vintage turntable to my system and have recently narrowed in on the. Thorens td160. I would like to be able to easily swap two or more cartridges, but I think it gets tricky with the scarcity of extra headshells, and bottom mounting design. Does anyone have experience doing this and is there an easy way? Thanks for another great video. I’m in Queens NY.
No easy way if the 160 has a wand like the 166. I've seen some people mod them to accept screws thru the top but I would never. 🤞 and have fun!
No real easy way except get any turntable with an sme mount ( usually an S shape arm. Classic is of course the technics sl1200 but the pioneer plx1000 is no slouch either)
I have a vintage Denon dp3000 and around 9 cartridges. Takes one minute to change. Set anti skate to zero then allow the arm to "float " to near horizontal by adjust the counter weight. Once horizontal return to its rest set the counterweight to zero usually an inner ring then set the tracking force as recommended by turning the outer ring ( my denon 103r is 2.5 grams, my AT Oc9ml ii is 1.7 g etc etc )
Its a bit fiddly initially but once used to it it can be done literally in around 45 seconds.
Lot of nonsense spoken about the inferiority of removable headshells . I would never have a fixed headshell. Just too damned convenient to cartridge swap.
From Somers Ct……
Thanks for the videos.
I do it all for you! 😀Thanks!
Just came across your channel enjoying it thanks watching in New Jersey
I lived at McGuire AFB for 8 years when I was a kid! I know Jersey! Kinda!
watching from Oregon. Picked up the AT LP-70x and this stylus as a first records player. I excited to start this journey. We found a box of old records from my wife's dad that we wanted to listen to.
Enjoyed the video. Watching from Rapid City, South Dakota ... enjoy your gear!!
A sprung suspension turntable is very common on better turntables like the Linn Sondek LP12, Thorens, Dual, Acoustic Research, Oracle, Gyrodec, etc. And yes, they're a pain in the butt if you have to adjust and balance them from underneath. The new cheaper tables don't use springs to isolate vibrations. It's left up to you to add a suspension yourself, underneath the turntable. Manufacturers like Rega, Technics, and Pro-Ject are able to keep the price lower by leaving it up to the consumer to take care of the isolation by purchasing additional products that complete that function. Just FYI.
Thorens TD 166 Mk2 was not build in Switzerland. The plant was located in Lahr/Baden in Germany. But Thorens had very near connections to EMT Company, they built the Profi-Turntable for radio stations and Record studios.
Thanks for the correction! I read Switzerland somewhere.
Thanks for the correction! I read Switzerland somewhere.
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog Thorens had changed the Owner. Now ist Gunther Kürten, the Company is now in the near of cologne. And the top-Turntable is the Thorens Annyversary TD 124 DD (Direct Drive) for 15 000 Euros. The normal TD 124 DD is for 8000 Euros. The TD 124 from the 50s and 60s was an TT for Radio Stations with an idler Drive, very famous, very expansive as used unit.