Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML Microlinear Replacement Turntable Stylus Red

I have a Audio Technica LPW30-TK turntable I got used. It came with the entry level blue conical stylus. Just upgraded to the red AT95 micro linear stylus. Thought I would put this out there for anyone debating pulling the trigger on the red stylus. I immediately noticed reduced overall amplitude (lower volume.) this isn’t an issue for me because I never run my system at full volume anyhow. Just turned it up a little more than typical. Highs are super crisp. Piano sections, crash cymbals, etc are all bright and crisp. Mids are solid with no distortion. I previously had bad sibilance on some records. Specifically my Journey’s Greatest Hits. I read this album was mastered really hot as it was intended for CDs and cassettes back in the 80s, and was never intended to be pressed onto vinyl. Anyhow, it was almost not worth listening to before and now it’s stellar. No more midrange distortion. Which is the main reason I went with the red stylus versus any of the others. Many reviewers said it corrected this distortion. Bass is tight and punchy and a bit more present than with the old stylus. The red isn’t cheap, but it was a worthwhile upgrade for me. Thanks for reading. Also: surface noise is pretty much non-existent. Much better than before.

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.

If you have the AT LPW40WN [or a turntable with a stock at-vmn95e cartridge (the green one)] you NEED to pull the trigger on this one. It takes the listening experience from a realistic 7 to a solid 9.5. About where I came from (atvmn95e) cartridge: When I originally purchased my turntable and spun some of my records I found that the mid-range of the vmn95e cartridge had more to desire from. It felt hidden in a way. The lows were just a bit boomy and the highs were too much in my face, which made me fatigued after a couple of LPS. All this being said I still found myself satisfied with the performance of the atvmn95e (as so many other vinyl listeners do). After replacing the cartridge with this new one I found an immediate tangible difference between the twos reproduction. The at - vmn95ML immediately fixed the sonic discrepancies I found above. The bass tightened up and leveled out, the mids became fuller and more present, and the highs sound became much more precise but all much less fatiguing (this for me was the big seller of satisfaction). Additionally, the new needle significantly decreased the pops, crackles, and excess noise that I experienced with my previous cartridge—what a sweet bonus. Keep in mind that this is the immediate difference. (AMAZING!) As other reviewers mention after 20-30 hours of break-in period the sound signature of the cartridge will come into its own. I will update my experience after 40 ish hours (to be safe) and place it below. Why should you get this cartridge? THE PRICE: At roughly $160 after tax and whatnot, its a steal for 1000 hours of great playback. Comparing it to the atvmn95e which comes in stock on many at turntables, its both cheaper in the long haul and a quality of sound upgrade. The e is typically about $50-60 and is rated for 300 hours which works out to be around 20 cents an hour give or take a couple pennies. Or about $200 for 1000 hours. The ML is around $160, after tax and is rated at 1000. So a saving of 40 bucks :)! EASY SWITCH OUT: If you have a cartridge that is already from the 95 series its an easy unplug and replug of the new stylus! (no need to waste money on a new headshell and cartridge! SOUND QUALITY: The micro liner design helps the stylus reach deeper into the grooves of your records ensuring accurate tracking and reducing distortion as a result. It really is a difference you will notice on the first spin. If you are contemplating pulling the trigger on this stylus, do It. You will NOT regret it.

I bought this, like many others, to replace a VMN95E. This product sounded great from the first time I dropped the needle. So much less surface noise than the elliptical and a much more expansive and full sound. It already blew me away and I havent even gotten through the break in period. I purchased this line of AT products to help tune up an old 1200 mk2 that had been sitting for over 20+ years. I love how easy it is to start with the base cartridge and upgrade the stylus down the line. Ill get around to double checking alignment, but I was too excited to hear it to go through that before my first listen. I doubt itll need adjustment though. The price might seem a bit crazy, especially if youre new to TTs or getting back into it after a long hiatus, but its worth every penny. Plus, I believe it has the longest recommended play time out of the entire line. Awesome, awesome purchase.

This stylus might seem expensive to some, but is worth every penny. It brings out the rich tones and there is not much static at all. Currently listening to a Benny Goodman album from the 40s and it sounds amazing. You wont be sorry if you buy it.

I’m satisfied, the delivery was fast and the package well-packed. The quality is great, I really feel the difference in the sound

I got this to bring old vinyl back to life which it does but I got a bonus. With a cheap AT-LP-3 turntable and a cheap Yamaha amp Decent speakers like Kirksaeter center channel and Dayton BR-1 front and and rearsrunning 5channel stereoI getting sound equal to my old Stromberg Carlson Intregated with desent table and cartridge and Bose 301s that I had in the 1970s. Im now getting sound equal to that old system that I missed for so long. And the stylus isnt even broken in yet. wow very nice. Well worth the price if you are looking for flat warm tube like sound from the 60 and 70s. I though the sylus may be bent slightly but that must be the way its made. I lined it up with a arch protractor that audio technica sent and it tracks perfectly and low surface noise also. Well done Audio Technica.

I love this stylus. It pulls out a lot of detail out of the record. I listen a lot to classical music and I can hear instruments and details that simply were not there with the conical stylus (blue). The frequency response is a lot better than the conical. I also love that it dislodges dirt from the grooves and leaves the records sounding a lot better, even if they have been manually cleaned. You have to clean the stylus afterwards, but it is worth it.

I finally broke down and paid $149.00 for this stylus, and Im glad I did! It fits my Audio Technica AT-VM95E cartridge perfectly on my AT-LP120X turntable. My main concern was inner groove distortion. The distortion has been reduced SIGNIFICANTLY on my albums, and even inaudible on some! Totally happy with this! Really good sound reproduction, as well, and tracks well at 2 grams for me. One small concern: On some of my 45s, Ive noticed that it digs excessive amounts of debries from the grooves. However, I know these 45s are clean! Some, I have cleaned at least three times recently. I deeply cleaned one, dried it, put it on to play, and it did the exact same thing as before. It was like I hadnt even touched it! I let it play all the way through on one Play, and about a quarter of the way through prior. I dont think Ive harmed the stylus, but it is a small concern. So far, I havent had this problem on 12 inch LPs, and dont seem to notice any audible differences in the sound after allowing the stylus to ‘dig into’ my 45. Other than this small concern, I’m totally happy and would recommend purchasing if you’re up for spending the money.

This stylus upgrade for the AT-VM95E cartridge is worth every penny. The cartridge becomes the AT-VM95ML. It certainly lives up to the glowing reviews.