Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML Microlinear Replacement Turntable Stylus Red

Finally upgraded to this from the stylus that came with my turntable. What a difference! Highly recommended to upgrade!

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!

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!

I bought the AT VM95E cartridge for a Rega P1. The elliptical stylus was okay, so I replaced it with the Microline stylus (uses the already setup and aligned body from the VM95E). The difference is very clear, even with my older ears. Better bass, less distortion. Nice thing with the ATvm95 series is you can switch the stylus around and do AB testing without having to remount the cartridge body. Might try the SH stylus next.

With this stylus, I was able to hear things in a record that I have listened to for 35 years that I never heard before. Who would have thought that this little thing would make so much difference? Its not the cartridge, either. You can use the same AT cartridge- its this stylus that makes the difference. Im not really a crazy audiophile, although I do have about $1000 into my system- all in vintage speakers - none of the new crunchy ones. But this stylus makes a huge difference, probably the biggest difference per dollar of anything Ive used to upgrade my sound. The science behind it relates to how deep the stylus goes into the record grooves, and how it still sounds good as you get to the inner tracks of an LP, which usually has some quality degradation. Im no expert on this- so google it and you can find some more detailed explanations if you like. The bottom line is is YES you can hear the difference from a $35-50 stylus to a $150 one.

I am still breaking this stylus in. I swapped the ML with a fairly new E to save on the cartridge. I did again align the cartridge, balance the tonearm, adjust the tracking force and the anti-skate before starting the break-in. I have only played a half dozen or so LPs with it. It does seem to be improving with each record. I did notice that I had to increase the volume control about 10% to get the same level as with my other cartridges including the Goldring e3 and the Ortofon 2M Red. Right now, all that I can say based on my old, non-audiophile ears is that the solo instruments on classical, country and western and 60s-80s R&R records seem to be more clear and there does seem to be less cracks and pops on the, very familiar to me, records that I have played, likely due to the shape of the stylus. I do like the estimated 1000 hours of use for the stylus. That is something to consider when making a choice, The 95ML sounds promising and I will continue my break-in test. The ML does sound better than the AT95E, the stylus that was replaced on an AT headshell. However, I am not going to just yet mothball my e3 or 2M Red, both of which also sound pretty good to me.

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.

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 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!