Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML Microlinear Replacement Turntable Stylus Red

Drastically improved the sound quality

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.

Exceeded my high expectations.

I bought this to replace the stock AT-VMN95E stylus on my AT-LP120XUSB turntable. I did not need a new stylus, but had read about how this was a decent upgrade to make. I wasnt sure about the $150 price tag, but since it is supposed to last about 3 times longer than the stock elliptical stylus, there was some value there as I plan to have this turntable for many years. Sound wise, I didnt notice much, if any, difference listening to new records. This is one of those YMMV issues - I have a decent system, but nothing to write home about. I use the LP-120Xusbs built-in phono pre-amp into an Onkyo TX-NR555 A/V receiver which goes out to a pair of Boston Acoustics VR965 speakers. All that goes into some 50-year old ears, so its likely I couldnt hear the increased frequency response compared to the VMN95E anyway. For used records, I did notice an improvement, though. I have an 80s pressing of UB40s Labour of Love that I bought at a used record store. It looked clean, but was pretty crackly when played with the VMN95E. Im sure they cleaned it, but there was still definitely some crud in the groove. When I tried it with the VMN95ML, it not only sounded better with the first playing, but the record also came out dirtier after playing due to the stylus getting all the loose gunk left from the cleaning out of the groove. After two more plays (and appropriate stylus cleaning), the record played near perfect. All that said, this is not the stylus for everybody. If you play a lot of vinyl and need to replace a VMN95E or VMN95C, its definitely something to consider. While it costs more, it lasts longer, so it would all balance out over the years. If you have a higher-end amplifier and speakers, it may also be worth the upgrade to help squeeze every last bit of sound out of your turntable.

Fixed my Inner Groove Distortion (IGD) problem on my not-too-great Fluance RT-81 turntable. Careful if you buy this if your turntable has the AT-95 cartridge - you need to upgrade to the AT-VM95. While it kind of fits and works with the AT-95 its not designed to go on that cart. Just get the matched pair stylus and cart together. All my records sound better with this stylus - even helps with poorly mastered records.

I upgraded from the 95E recently to this ML stylus, simply swapping it out and remeasuring the tracking and alignment (it stayed spot-on). Thankful for so many reviews addressing specific personal concerns I kept searching for, I want to echo observations that were spot on: vast improvements to inner groove and sibilance distortion, as well as surface noise virtually dropping to the floor. The clearer sound on so many different albums boosted my passion for this hobby again. It’s been fun to revisit so many tracks to hear new things - bonus level up! The others who mention fatigue relief should be highlighted, too. I didn’t know I was even suffering until I made the change! Every range of sound is improved, and my personal pain spots of some favorite albums can now be fully enjoyed as intended - this was this missing piece after adjusting and tweaking everything else I could. It’s not a cure-all, and still not “perfect” by any stretch, but for the value I’m glad I saved up and prioritized this purchase. Like so many have said before, it’s time to stop hesitating and just go for it!

This ML is similiar, if not identical to the older/more expensive 440MLa/b. You get all the benefits of the sound quality from the microlinear from a less expensive cart system. This stylus gets down in the groove and gets past the worn parts near the top from older needles. Not only that, inner groove distortion is much less or gone (depending on how far in the record was cut). And a little secret, as of Feb. 2022, look at the price of the AT-VM95C cart/stylus combo. Add that price to just this replacement stylus. <wink wink> Both stylii will fit on the AT-VM95 cart, so youll have both styli for less than the cost of the AT-VM-95ML combo! And that conical stylus will come in handy for those styrene single 45s and other records that the ML might not sound great on.

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 replaced the stock stylus on my ATLP120XBT and the music sounds much cleaner and crisper. It is noticeable to me but may not be to others including my wife. Would i buy again? Yes absolutely

I bought an Audio Technica AT- VM95E a while back, with the bonded elliptical (green) stylus. For the money, its impressive. I then bought the conical (blue) stylus for playing older, mono records. It is also impressive for that purpose. I recently got a VM-95EN stylus too. Thats the nude elliptical (orange). It REALLY impressed me. Compared to the bonded elliptical, its clearer and noticeably more defined, has a more open top end, is punchier and tracks better. Finally, I just got the AT-VM95ML, micro-linear (red) stylus. And as great as the nude elliptical is, this stylus represents a significant improvement over it. Its even punchier, has an even better top (and bottom) end, has noticeably better clarity and definition, a slightly wider and deeper soundstage and tracks amazingly well at 2 grams. I have yet to hear even a hint of inner groove distortion. The nude elliptical is very good in this regard too but the ML is even better. The other thing I noticed right away was lower surface noise with this stylus shape. The music seems to just leap out of the grooves. The dynamics are amazing and the noise level is low. Theres a real solid feel to the sound of the cartridge with this stylus. Its fun and exciting to listen to! Sonically, its a bit on the brighter side of the spectrum. All the styli I have for this cartridge share that quality to some extent. It doesnt bother me at all. On most records, it sounds great. On the few that it doesnt, I have other cartridges to choose from ready to go in head shells. If you couldnt tell by now, I really like to play with different phono cartridges and styli to get different sounds and to discover which cartridges and styli are best for different types of records, whether they be new, old, stereo or mono etc. Anyway, if you already have an AT-VM95C or E and you can afford to pick one of these styli up, I can assure you, you will not be sorry! If you have an EN, nude stylus, the improvement is still quite noticeable but less than if you are upgrading from a C or E stylus. Audio Technica has really produced a great product line with the AT-VM95 series and very smart to offer such a comprehensive line of available styli for them. Notice, I use the word STYLI, not STYLUSES. The plural of stylus is styli, folks, like stimulus and stimuli Just a pet peeve of mine. OK, lecture over. I dont have the Shibata stylus yet, maybe someday! Buy this stylus for your AT-VM95 cartridge. You wont regret it!