Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML Microlinear Replacement Turntable Stylus Red

Let me start by saying that this is a must if you purchased an Audio Technica LP120. It blows away the cartridge that comes with the player. The sound that comes out of this is crisp and clear. The eliminated sibilance and inner groove distortion. I would definitely recommend this product!!

I have an Audio Technica LP120X turntable with a VM95E cartridge. When my stylus was accidentally broken, I opted for this stylus. I didn’t think it would make much of a difference. WOW! Was I wrong. The notes are crisper, the overtones much more defined, and the overall sound much richer. Even though $150 seemed expensive, I am enjoying the results.

Im just getting into the vinyl hobby and my young daughter decided to slam the tonearm and cartridge/stylus into the mat as I was changing an album over. This of course severely bent the cantilever. Not wanting to risk damaging my records, I decided this would be a good opportunity to upgrade the stock 95E stylus on my LP120X. After installing the 95ML, I immediately noticed much more pronounced and separated mids and high, whereas the 95E seemed to muddle them together. Again, Im still just getting into the hobby, but the clarity is definitely much-improved with this stylus. For the money, its well worth the upgrade. Now I just need to take measures to keep my daughter from touching this one--unless I need to convince my wife to allow another upgrade....

Trying to justify the cost for this one. Upgraded from a 95E like most people to try and solve the sibilance and IGD issues with that stylus. Good news is that, to my ears, both of those problems are solved. However, it seems this comes at a loss of soundstage and tonality. The ML seems to produce borderline CD quality audio with clean new pressings. The harshness and break-up of hot, high pressings and complicated passages, especially towards the center of the pressing, seem to be much better, but theres also a muddiness and lack of separation throughout. Bass is less present, individual instruments have less space/definition, and flaws are more obtrusive in imperfect copies (because presumably youre digging up more information with this stylus shape). For reference, my setup is a Technics SL-D2 through a Realistic Stereo Mixer to Bose QC15/25 headphones 99% of the time. Considering becoming a complete vinyl idiot and picking up the comparable Nagaoka MP-110 to compare. Not sure about you, but I crave that sweet, sweet soundstage and theres something thats not clicking here.

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!

Wow!!! What an improvement!! Not to mention easy to install, that is for the LP120. I was skeptical at first because of the cost but finally decided to take the chance. The sound is so much warmer and more crisp! So happy with my decision!

It was time for the first stylus change on my new Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB turntable which came with a VM95 cartridge with an elliptical stylus. After researching, I new I wanted to upgrade to a microlinear cut stylus. So I bought the AT-VMN95ML stylus which was a tremendous sonic improvement over the elliptical stylus. But at the same time, I invested in the Audio-Technica VM540ML/H Turntable Headshell/Cartridge Combo Kit which took the turntable to new heights of sonic clarity and instrument separation. So I give the VMN95ML a very good grade but I give the VM540ML an outstanding grade.

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.

Initially I went back and forth on this product. I didnt actually need a replacement stylus. I only had roughly 200 hours on my other one. I scathed the internet looking for reviews. I got mixed results. Some people said it made a world of difference and others swore it didnt do much apart from last longer. I can attest that this stylus does make a difference. Its a bit quieter overall, but you can hear severely less surface noise and get a more dynamic sound. Its warm, full, and beautiful. I played records back to back with the old stylus and the new to juxtapose the differences. I feel confident recommending this stylus to people. Purchase it! $150 may seem like a lot but it will make every record in your collection sound better!

Exceeded my high expectations.