Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML Microlinear Replacement Turntable Stylus Red

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.

Im a relative newcomer to the recent vinyl craze, so my experience with phonograph cartridges is pretty much limited to the Audio Technica AT-VM95E. I recently purchased my first turntable, a Technics SL-D2, which goes through an Art DJ PRE II phono preamp to a rather well-used and not particularly special set of Technics SB-SL501 speakers powered by an equally not-ultra-special Denon AVR-1602. The turntable came from ePray with a seemingly very-well-used Audio Technica AT95E phono cartridge, so I preemptively purchased a new Audio Technica AT-VM95E to replace it. Of course, once I installed it, I calibrated the tonearm counterweight and aligned the cartridge using a printed protractor. On well-produced records that are in good condition, this combination produced acceptable results - for approximately the first 2/3 of such a record, then I started experiencing rather noticeable inner-groove distortion. Sibilance was also prevalent throughout the entirety of any record I played. I decided this was unacceptable, and perused online forums for an answer. I learned that microlinear and Shibata-style stylii were much less prone to IGD and sibilance than elliptical stylii, and it was suggested that instead of purchasing a new cartridge, I purchase a replacement microlinear stylus for the AT-VM95E cartridge I already had. Swapping the stylus out is a breeze, and just to be sure, I double-checked the cartridge alignment with my protractor and adjusted the VTF down slightly to ~2.0g (I had been running the VM95E at about 2.2g). Problem solved. Inner-groove distortion has been reduced to the point that Im not totally sure I can even detect it. To test for sibilance, I played one of the most sibilant tracks I have on a record in my (albeit small) collection: So You Say by The Manhattan Transfer. Not a lick of sibilance. Where the VMN95E stylus made the track almost un-listenable, this one made it sound amazing. Im just starting out in the hobby, but Ive got to say that if I could go back, I probably would have just bought the AT-VM95ML instead of the AT-VM95E in the first place. Everything Ive played thus far that Id also played with the VMN95E cartridge installed sounds so much more defined with the VMN95ML stylus. Definitely worth it as far as this customer is concerned.

This stylus is wonderful, your music is more clearer with better bass tones. For the money the best upgrade for the AT LS 120X turtable.

This stylus is audiophile life changing - the accolades written convinced me to upgrade and the end results are as written - the multichannel capabilities of this stylus give new listening depth and nuances that were originally intended. The listening sounds like you are in studio listening to everything intended by the producers - like listening to studio tracks, individual tracks, harmonies meant to sweeten the tracks, instrumental touches - they were there all along and you can finally enjoy your collection fully. Really amazing!

Ive had my AT-LP120 turn table that came with the 95E (Green) stylus for about 2 years & I play records daily. According to Audio Technica this stylus should be good for 300 playing hours which Ive horribly surpassed, so I started my search for a new needle. I listen to mainly heavy metal so I wanted a needle that would offer good sound quality for that type of music. Reseaching various discussion boards and product reviews helped a little bit, but no one really provided a clear answer. I looked at many stylus options & decided to stay within the Audio Technica family. COMPARISON: I played 3 records (original first pressing albums) with both the 95E and 95ML cartridges at the same volume. Both needles produced clean audio. The fact that I couldnt hear any major difference between a needle that has a few hundred hours of playtime over a brand new 95ML was a surprise. Im not sure how drastic an improvement or change I was expecting, but there certainly was no AH-HA moment or WOW factor. Its not like I went from hearing mud to crystal clear audio. It was very... similar. The 95E is a work horse needle for sure. If it can take hundreds of records and daily abuse and STILL sound as good as a brand new 95ML - I guess theres your answer. Well see if this 95ML Red holds up nearly as well. Dont get me wrong, the 95ML sounds fine BUT for the money - I do NOT hear a $100 price difference between the 95E and 95ML. If I knew then what I know now I honestly would have saved the cash and just purchased another 95E Green. I dont know what Amazons policy is for linking YouTube reviews, but if you want to actually HEAR the comparison Ive got it out there for you to check out. The title is: REVIEW: AUDIO TECHNICA STYLUS COMPARISON (95E VS 95ML) Good luck with your search and I hope this helps with trying to find yourself a replacement stylus.

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.

Got this one for my AT-LP5x. Well, it sounds richer in high range and more clear at low range. Definitely, this is my main stylus now. But dont expect much for the money you paid. It has just a slight difference, and only if you have mid-hi quality audio system and good ears. Other than that, you will not hear much difference between your default stylus and this one. I use internal phono, maybe an external one will open it more for me. But again, if the money is not a problem - I recommend this one! Good upgrade, definitely.

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.

After being largely disappointed in the Ortofon red, I got this and was blown away. First spin was genesis selling England by the pound reissue and it rocked the house. Fantastic floor and action on this stylus. Best sound I’ve ever had out of a turntable. Sure at $150 it’s a little pricey, but for 1,000 hours of banger sound quality it’s well worth it.

I absolutely love this stylus! I am not an audiophile with thousands of dollars in equipment. I like listening to vinyl records, but I do not consider vinyl to be the be-all, end-all of audio. I have a somewhat entry-mid level turntable, and I always swore I wouldnt pay for a stylus that costs nearly the same as the turntable itself; however, Im glad I reneged on that philosophy. I first bought the cartridge for this 15 months ago and purchased this as the first replacement for the stylus, but it very well could have lasted even longer! The sound quality never really diminished; I personally never noticed any distortion or sibilance or anything of the sort. Its pricey, but worth it!