Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge with Microlinear Nude Stylus,red

Product Information

mil nude elliptical stylus mounted to an aluminium cantilever for enhanced sound reproduction and resolution of fine musical detail.

Audio Technica has recently re-vamped the old AT95 line into its current incarnation – the VM95 series. I put both files into Logic pro, with no changes other then raising File 2 by +3 db to better match the levels. The VM95ML is a microlinear or ridge shape: “ allowing for more precise contact with record grooves leading to higher fidelity and less inner groove distortion. I listened to both and then the first half of each again but though file one was better the second time around, either because of familiarity or the streamer warming up a bit, file 2 still won on a more natural tone and pacing.The VM95ML Microlinear gave a reasonably bright tonal balance with delicious retrieval of fine high frequency detail that came across with firm confidence. The Direct-Drive Technics enforced a metronomic and militaristic rigidity to rhythm that to many is the bane of Japan, Inc. Those trumpets are way too bright for me, even sounding more like computer generated sounds than real trumpets. For example, the famed Denon DL-103 Weisfeld thinks sounds great with certain arms and just okay with others. I started off on the conical 'C' for about a year, experimented a bit with the nude elliptical 'EN' in the interim, and eventually settled on the microline 'ML' which I'm currently using on my main setup.

Microlinear profile diamond stylus offers high frequency response with less wear and distortion than elliptical or conventional linear contact styli. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. All stylus assemblies use an aluminium tube cantilever, with two miniature magnets bonded on in 90 degree V arrangement. When i replayed the same test track using the vm95e, the channel separation is slightly better, the harmonic distortion is slightly lower probably due to the elliptical stylus vs the conical stylus, the treble and vocals all sounded more crisp.The AT-VM95ML, features a Nude Microlinear diamond, not only the Microlinear stylus will permit to double the life of the stylus. The elliptical shaped stylus bears greater resemblance to the triangular shaped cutting stylus that is used when cutting master records. The VM95ML really started to reveal its full abilities when mounted into a Connoisseur BD2a turntable w/ Connoisseur SAU 2 tonearm, a forgotten classic whose uncanny music-making prowess is still unassailable, even 40 years after the firm’s demise. File1 is definitely brighter Than file2 but if I was having to listen To music (classical) for a long time file2 would be much easier on the ears to me and more like a live concert.