Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML Microlinear Replacement Turntable Stylus Red

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.

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.

Initially purchased the AT-VM95E but decided to upgrade the stylus to the Microlinear (ML) version. The difference is incredible. I’m hearing details in the music that I’ve never heard before in my life! I’ve been listening to some of the same records for over 50 years and the AT-VMN95ML has brought new life to the music. I’ve got a lot of different phono cartridges, some very expensive, and the AT-VMN95ML is the absolute best I’ve ever heard.

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.

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.

Sound quality is so crystal clear & value for money is reasonable & worth it. Had this stylus for several months now & so pleased with the upgrade. Install is a cinch on AT TTs.

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.

Drastically improved the sound quality

As a relative newcomer to vinyl, I really couldnt have ever justified dropping over $100 on a stylus upgrade, but after I got an SL-1600, I figured it was worth trying to push the envelope a little bit. Ive previously been using the budget conical C stylus for the past year and while thats a surprisingly good sounding stylus for the VM95 considering how inexpensive it is, the ML stylus really elevates this cartridge to a whole other level. I also tried the middle of the road EN before this stylus, and Id say the ML is still worth the extra cost. Its important to note that being a microline stylus, the ML is a lot more sensitive to fine adjustment than the standard conicals or ellipticals. As the saying goes, a cheap stylus properly set up will sound better than an expensive stylus improperly set up. Its important to take your time setting up the ML and ensuring your tracking force, anti-skate, overhang, angle, and VTA are all dialed in. VTA is certainly a tricky one if your turntable doesnt have an adjustment for it, otherwise youll just have to make do with shims or a thicker slipmat to bring that tonearm parallel with the platter. With setup out of the way, itll take some time for the stylus to fully break in but almost immediately I noticed an appreciable improvement in sound quality. The microlines shape is such that it sits deeper in the groove than a traditional elliptical, so it picks up finer nuances of record that you otherwise wouldnt hear with a regular stylus, and the sound is very crisp without losing much, if any of the punch I liked from the conical. Its also less noisy - pops dont seem to be nearly as prominent as on the conical. In laymans terms, this is like switching from a pair of Walmart brand earbuds to Bose. The former is perfectly serviceable and will satisfy most peoples needs, but youre going to get what you pay for with the latter. The shape also means its just a far more stable tracking stylus and is less prone to groove skipping than an elliptical. I ran the ML though some of my more worn 80s records, and it tracks right through imperfections I wouldve otherwise heard on one of the other styli. I think this is also in part to its listed 1000 hour lifespan - the tip geometry is optimized to the groove shape that it wears more evenly, versus the E and EN ellipticals at 300 hours each. Youd likely be on your third or fourth E or EN by the time an ML gets close to needing to be replaced. So in some weird way, this ends up being a more value conscious option. Overall, Id say the ML is a worthwhile upgrade for anybody looking to move up to a higher-end VM95 stylus. Versus the conical C, its a night and day difference in sound quality. The nude elliptical EN is certainly closer in sound quality, but the ML is not much more money, tracks better, and lasts significantly longer. Not that theres anything wrong with any of the less expensive styli - theyre all very good, especially the C and E for the price. If anything, the MLs finicky nature is its main drawback. If you dont have a setup that can accommodate its precise setup requirements, then any of the less expensive styli might be a better choice. And the price - $149 isnt bad relatively speaking but understandably, not everyone can justify it. But if you can make either of those work, chances are that youre really going to like this stylus.

I had the green cartridge that came with my turn table. I listened and thought that sound could not get better but I was wrong. I upgraded to this red cartridge and I can honestly say, the music never felt so defined and clear. I can close my eyes and feel where the sound is played. Immersive!! I plan on upgrading again someday to discover more layers to the music I enjoy.