



Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML Microlinear Replacement Turntable Stylus Red
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Samcam
> 3 dayThe sound stage is broader, the music plays louder, clearer in the bass and you hear more details in the music. My wife asked what Id done to get the player to sound better when walking by. I would buy this again.
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Justice Spencer
> 3 dayI’m satisfied, the delivery was fast and the package well-packed. The quality is great, I really feel the difference in the sound
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Shawn Howard
> 3 dayI 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.
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Jeff Sornig
> 3 dayIve 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.
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Electric Wizard
> 3 dayI 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.
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Frank
> 3 dayThis 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!
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Mitchell Betancourt
Greater than one weekIf 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.
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Ben
> 3 dayIm 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....
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Cody Alder
> 3 dayFinally upgraded to this from the stylus that came with my turntable. What a difference! Highly recommended to upgrade!
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Mr. Frog
> 3 dayIt makes great musical score sound great.