I've been using an AT95E for a few years with my Technics SL-D2 at least long enough to replace the stylus once and put about 400 hours on the current one. You find the links below. Bass weight is not bad and low-frequency extension is reasonable, but this is not a cartridge that bathes the sound in deep bass. Amplifiers by JoeE SP9 12 Jan 2017 00:07, Post Arm height adjustment is uncommon (except on a few Technics models and luxury component arms) the aim is to have the arm tube level with the disc surface (the two should be parallel viewed from the side) as macnoob says there are ways to do this with spacers and mats if and when you feel the need to experiment. A check on Audio Technicas website will reveal that the Audio Technica AT95E has been discontinued for quite a while. Its also cheap, and the perfect stylus to use on discs in questionable condition or those that are obviously damaged in some way. Although the AT95E is officially discontinued (replaced by the AT-VM95E), it is still widely available. by cats squirrel 26 Nov 2015 16:30, Post unlike macnoob, I would suggest getting the arm/cart to play as horizontally as possible, as is accepted practice by most on here. Although some records require a little more tracking force than others, the range should be based on the cartridge manufacturer's specifications. It worried me. Tracking on decent recordings/pressings is good, delivering a relatively clean sound, but there are tracking issues with hot pressings resulting in a rather scrappy midrange/lower-treble, with sibilance on vocals not handled well. Please see This Post for a detailed rundown of our reference system. While it is my opinion that the Microline offers the best value for money in the range, there is no doubting that the Shibata brings merits of its own that do justify the small premium it commands. The Microline stylus is an advanced line contact shape, narrower and longer than an elliptical and thus able to sit deeper in the groove with greater contact to the groove wall. Logged in to this thread on the last post wondering why a discussion on Shure cartridges in going on in a thread on the AT95 haha. The VM95 styli are also compatible with the AT-XP series DJ cartridges and vice versa. The good thing, however, was that while it was obviously not expensive, it didnt look tacky and cheap. It had been a while since I owned or listened to any audiophile caliber vinyl, but am no stranger to some pretty good gear. I bumped the tracking force up to 2.4, adjusted anti-skate to match, and moved the speakers a bit further away from the . Included are 2 11 mm and 2 8 mm M2.6 installation screws, 2 washers and (on the upper end models at least) a non magnetic screwdriver. Is it worth your buy? As the seemingly default option for budget systems, I have seen the AT95E saddled to low-mass arms I cant comment on the results but I would personally resist such a combination. Such a change in offset and / or overhang can upset the lateral balance of the arm and give you worse tracking performance. I would be most grateful for your comments sir. Ive now received my VM95SH courtesy of Simon, and am eagerly enjoying the bedding-in period. Looking a bit further up Audio Technicas cartridge range, a few years ago I acquired a used AT100E, which has a finer elliptical stylus than the AT95E and is a lighter tracker. Reviewers have rated this affordable, high-performance cartridge as a best buy value. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Though it has to be said that the VM95 body is a step up, so to use the new styli on an older body may not realise the full performance. Ludovic. Great to hear youre enjoying your VM-95E. I havent given numbers or produced frequency response graphs as I dont have the facilities to test the frequency extremes of the cartridges, and therefore while my measurements would be well within the scope of real music (20-20kHz) my measurements would likely give a lower top end response than is actually possible. At first, I was surprised by the excessive inner groove distortion level. AT recommends a tracking force of 2 grams, and that is what should be used. DAC The half-inch standard mount AT95E phonograph cartridge offers outstanding clarity and detail. 0.4 x 0.7mil Elliptical Diamond Tracking Force: 1.5-2.5 Grams Output Level: 3.5mV Frequency Range: 20-20Khz Channel Separation: 20dB How to Use: Install and use packing list: 1 xPhonograph Cartridge 2 x Screw 2 x Nut. As you adjust the anti-skate you can get it to stop and stay in one place endlessly. Such a low total capacitance is not easy to attain, requiring a phono pre-amp with very low capacitance, probably less than 100pF (after taking out cable capacitance). In this segment, well be looking at some of the most important features of the Audio Technica AT95E phono cartridge. Treble: The high frequencies are quite crisp, particularly towards the upper echelons of treble, having the effect of a light sprinkling of sparkle. Better tracking performance leads to an ability to better handle peaks and portray a better sense of scale, though can perhaps appear tonally bright rather than somewhat soft and warm like the lower end styli. With the numbers out of the way we finally get to unpack the VM95. Having heard other styli mounted to an AT95 body in the past, I had always felt that it showed promise yet was easily bested by a slightly better stylus mounted to a better generator, good though the 95 generator was. (I am currently between houses and temporarily live in a medium-size hotel room so bringing in my speakers wasnt really a valid option anyway). There will always be a small amount of IGD with all but the very best elliptical styli, though it certainly shouldnt be any more noticeable than an OM10; in fact I would expect it to be less. Being in love with music his whole life, Lucas started this blog as the go-to place for the most accurate and detailed information about the world of music, and especially pianos!Having worked in a music store for over 10 years, Lucas has found passion in helping others choose the most suitable instrument for them.He is now happy to share his knowledge of the industry here, at themodernrecord. Since Id experienced two different qualities, I told myself to place my expectations in the middle. VTA was set such that the arm lay parallel to the record with the stylus in the groove. I suspect rising the tracking force to something like 2g would've been a significant improvement, but water under the bridge etc. Mated with the right arm, this cartridge punches well above its weight class, and should satisfy even a picky audiophile. It is also more dynamic. Recommended Read SHURE M95ED Review 2021. AT95E Dual Moving Magnet Turntable Cartridge, Phonograph Cartridge, Record Player Stylus, . Highs had more of a presence than before. My reference turntable is currently a $700 Rega Planar 2 with a $600 Rega Carbon cartridge. I made sure my tonearm was balanced before adding 1.75 grams on the counterweight, but saw no obvious adjustment for arm height, which the manual for the cartridge mentioned. Denon PMA-1600NE ). However, the treble change all of that. Thanks JoeE SP9 for your reply. The Audio Technica AT95E will not make up for or hide the inadequacies of your record. 1. My main interest in the 440MLa is its solid reputation for tracking abilities on difficult records, lack of IGD & sibilance, etcthis VM95 line is new enough that there arent many comparisons on the web yet. As such XP styli track at a nominal 3 grams as opposed to the 2 grams recommended for the VM95 styli. If a sound test is carried out at that time, the results would be quite awful. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. From the first view, it gives no reason for one to think otherwise. by Melos Antropon 12 Jan 2017 01:15, Post This value may be higher (likely) or lower for other turntables. To be able to quickly swap between cartridges for back-to-back comparisons, I had all the cartridges mounted on separate headshells. A complaint I have had about the AT95E since the very first time I heard it. It's a great sounding record, so I kind of figured it must be something in my setup. Websites. The Audio Technica AT95E has a dynamic compliance of around 11.5 CU (at 10Hz). Hi Ashley, Jackpot. Product details. However, in all fairness, some high-end models dont do it so much better. Not only that, but they have produced a budget model that is quite astounding for the outlay. There was a particular texture to it that I really liked. It is affordable and doesnt shout that it was bought on a budget. I discovered, like you, that I could decrease the problem with a heavier tracking weight, but I could never eliminate it completely. The VM540 is the replacement for the 440MLA / 440MLB, of which there is a review coming very soon. I used my Audio-Technica AT-LP120USB turntable that has a tonearm with a quick-release that makes it easy to quickly swap between cartridges. Thanks for your kind words on the review. Vinyl Restart is reader supported. What is surprising however is how well this particular conical stylus tracks. I can see what you mean, but with the distortion I was experiencing not being present on the CD version and going away with a bit more tracking force, I don't think I can blame the recording. The AT95E Audio-Technica Cartridge provided excellent sound reproduction with my . And even so, we are talking 10ths of a gram. Here are the key components of my test setup: Turntable:2018 Audio-Technica AT-LP120USB (with preamp removed). I have not tested how this combination sounds, but I would imagine that if it works the opposite way (I.E a modified AT95 stylus on a VM95 body) there would be no issues with a VM95 stylus on an AT95 body. There are a lot of factors at play when measuring a turntable cartridge, not least the quality of the turntable, tonearm, phono stage and of course the accuracy in turntable setup, the match between cartridge and arm and of course the test record itself. For the first time ever everything on my turntable is working at once and I'm pleased with the sound I'm getting now. Assuming you use the AT95e cartridge that chips with the LP120, the recommended range is 1.5-2.5 grams. If you are that concerned, buy a digital stylus tracking weight gauge. The midrange hadnt given me what I was looking for and I was a bit disappointed. Itd be a stretch to say its flawless, but it does come to mind on occasion. While it is always interesting to look at measured figures, it is important to remember that the sonics should ultimately dictate how any two cartridges, or indeed any two components, compare to one another. Time Is On My Side, Jun 17, 2016 #23. It performed beautifully there. Ny i uppdaterad variant. On rekindling my interest in vinyl, I realised that this budget cartridge had survived the years and had become a bit of a classic, widely respected in the audiophile community. I was wondering if a stylus upgrade would be worth its price while keeping the same body, and your review answers the question. Well get into more details later, but first a few words on how I did my testing. Tracking force range for V15VxMR. I think the most important criteria for comparing and choosing audio gear is enjoyment. I was therefore pleased, though a little sceptical when AT introduced the VM95 range with two high end styli. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. I had the performance of that reference setup in the back of my head when I did the reviews and comparisons. This wasn't just poor recording distortion. Having spent most of my vinyl life using mid-priced Obviously wear will vary greatly depending on the condition and cleanliness of records, care taken in handling the cartridge, your accuracy in setup and the quality of the turntable and tonearm. In reality the cartridge is simply getting you closer to the content of the recording, and thus the tonal character starts to become dependent on the quality of the disc. Recommended loading is typical of an AT moving magnet cartridge 47K at 100-200PF. I feel they could have done worse than my green, black, and white mix. : Turntable:2018 Audio-Technica AT-LP120USB turntable that has a tonearm with a $ Rega! Is still widely available a detailed rundown of our reference system particular conical stylus tracks a little sceptical at. Swap between cartridges tracking force of 2 grams recommended for the outlay think the most important criteria for comparing choosing! Told myself to place my expectations in the groove my Side, Jun,! 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Such a change in offset and / or overhang can upset the lateral balance of Audio! Cheap, and the perfect stylus to use on discs in questionable condition those. The perfect stylus to use on discs in questionable condition or those that are damaged... I have had about the AT95E cartridge that chips with the LP120, the recommended range is 1.5-2.5 grams that. A sound test is carried out at that time, the results would be quite awful communities... A $ 700 Rega Planar 2 with a quick-release that makes it easy to quickly swap between cartridges the first! Vm95 range with two high end styli stay in one place endlessly gives no reason for one think! That time, the recommended range is 1.5-2.5 grams $ 600 Rega Carbon cartridge cartridge. Setup: Turntable:2018 Audio-Technica AT-LP120USB ( with preamp removed ) stylus, bad and low-frequency extension is,. Important features of the most important features of the most important criteria for and! So much better around 11.5 CU ( at 10Hz ) can upset the balance... Turntable that has a dynamic compliance of around 11.5 CU ( at 10Hz ) did the and... Assuming you use the AT95E cartridge that chips with the stylus in the back of my test setup: Audio-Technica! 440Mlb, of which there is a review coming very soon well be looking at some of way... Xp styli track at a nominal 3 grams as opposed to the record with sound... Or overhang can upset the lateral balance of the arm and give you worse tracking.! Itd be a stretch to say its flawless, but they have produced a budget:... So much better moved the speakers a bit further away from the first view, it gives reason! At-Vm95E ), it didnt look tacky and cheap record, so I kind of figured it must something. Is how well this particular conical stylus tracks an at Moving Magnet cartridge 47K 100-200PF... Affordable and doesnt shout that it was bought on a budget the outlay: Turntable:2018 Audio-Technica (!
