Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML Microlinear Replacement Turntable Stylus Red

I bought this to replace the stock AT-VMN95E stylus on my AT-LP120XUSB turntable. I did not need a new stylus, but had read about how this was a decent upgrade to make. I wasnt sure about the $150 price tag, but since it is supposed to last about 3 times longer than the stock elliptical stylus, there was some value there as I plan to have this turntable for many years. Sound wise, I didnt notice much, if any, difference listening to new records. This is one of those YMMV issues - I have a decent system, but nothing to write home about. I use the LP-120Xusbs built-in phono pre-amp into an Onkyo TX-NR555 A/V receiver which goes out to a pair of Boston Acoustics VR965 speakers. All that goes into some 50-year old ears, so its likely I couldnt hear the increased frequency response compared to the VMN95E anyway. For used records, I did notice an improvement, though. I have an 80s pressing of UB40s Labour of Love that I bought at a used record store. It looked clean, but was pretty crackly when played with the VMN95E. Im sure they cleaned it, but there was still definitely some crud in the groove. When I tried it with the VMN95ML, it not only sounded better with the first playing, but the record also came out dirtier after playing due to the stylus getting all the loose gunk left from the cleaning out of the groove. After two more plays (and appropriate stylus cleaning), the record played near perfect. All that said, this is not the stylus for everybody. If you play a lot of vinyl and need to replace a VMN95E or VMN95C, its definitely something to consider. While it costs more, it lasts longer, so it would all balance out over the years. If you have a higher-end amplifier and speakers, it may also be worth the upgrade to help squeeze every last bit of sound out of your turntable.

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.

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!

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.

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 upgraded the stylus from the AT-VMN95E (Green Cart) on my Fluance RT81. The upgrade is as easy as switching the stylus - no rebalancing the tone arm needed. While the Green Cart is pretty good, the AT-VMN95ML (Red Cart) provides more detail and crispiness. Depending on the recording, you can hear more detail in the guitar strings and differentiation between the instruments with the Red Cart. If my budget was tight, I would stick with the Green Cart but I dont regret spending $149 for the incremental improvement of the Red Cart.

If you have an A/T turntable this is the best upgrade! Pricey but worth it.

Amazing upgrade. Tracks like a bloodhoud. Has a extremely flat response paired with the correct preamp. The V series which replicates the cutting head angle with the double magnet placement is extremely accurate. If aligned correctly, NO distortion especially on the inner groove or with siblance.

Sounds great and was easy to swap out.

I replaced the VMN95E stylus on my AT LP120X with this stylus. Previously I was getting significant inner groove distortion in the last 1/3-1/4 of a lot of albums (mostly brand new albums that had barely been played). With some albums, distortion would show up even earlier with especially heavier recordings. After switching to this microline stylus, the inner groove distortion is essentially gone (or at least it is so low that it is covered up by other noise). Records that had tracks that were basically unlistenable because of distortion sound completely fine with this stylus. I primarily bought this stylus to try and fix my IGD issues, and it definitely succeeds at that. There may be an additional fidelity improvement from going to this stylus over the elliptical stylus, but that isnt as big a difference as the reduction in IGD. Basically, if you have a cartridge that currently has the elliptical version of this stylus and you are experiencing inner groove distortion, buy this stylus. It isnt cheap, but it will fix your issue and theoretically has triple the lifespan of the bonded elliptical stylus. It is a straight swap, so you dont need to realign or readjust anything.