Audio-TechnicaAT-VMN95ML 2.2 x 0.12mil Microlinear Replacement Stylus for AT-VM95ML Cartridge

If 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 two's 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, it's a steal for 1000 hours of great playback. Comparing it to the atvmn95e which comes in stock on many at turntables, it's 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 it's 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.

I bought an Audio Technica AT- VM95E a while back, with the bonded elliptical (green) stylus. For the money, it's impressive. I then bought the conical (blue) stylus for playing older, mono records. It is also impressive for that purpose. I recently got a VM-95EN stylus too. That's the nude elliptical (orange). It REALLY impressed me. Compared to the bonded elliptical, it's clearer and noticeably more defined, has a more open top end, is punchier and tracks better. Finally, I just got the AT-VM95ML, micro-linear (red) stylus. And as great as the nude elliptical is, this stylus represents a significant improvement over it. It's even punchier, has an even better top (and bottom) end, has noticeably better clarity and definition, a slightly wider and deeper soundstage and tracks amazingly well at 2 grams. I have yet to hear even a hint of inner groove distortion. The nude elliptical is very good in this regard too but the ML is even better. The other thing I noticed right away was lower surface noise with this stylus shape. The music seems to just leap out of the grooves. The dynamics are amazing and the noise level is low. There's a real solid feel to the sound of the cartridge with this stylus. It's fun and exciting to listen to! Sonically, it's a bit on the brighter side of the spectrum. All the styli I have for this cartridge share that quality to some extent. It doesn't bother me at all. On most records, it sounds great. On the few that it doesn't, I have other cartridges to choose from ready to go in head shells. If you couldn't tell by now, I really like to play with different phono cartridges and styli to get different sounds and to discover which cartridges and styli are best for different types of records, whether they be new, old, stereo or mono etc. Anyway, if you already have an AT-VM95C or E and you can afford to pick one of these styli up, I can assure you, you will not be sorry! If you have an EN, nude stylus, the improvement is still quite noticeable but less than if you are upgrading from a C or E stylus. Audio Technica has really produced a great product line with the AT-VM95 series and very smart to offer such a comprehensive line of available styli for them. Notice, I use the word "STYLI", not "STYLUSES". The plural of stylus is styli, folks, like "stimulus" and "stimuli" Just a pet peeve of mine. OK, lecture over. I don't have the Shibata stylus yet, maybe someday!Buy this stylus for your AT-VM95 cartridge. You won't regret it!

I recently bought the Audio-Technica LPW40WN turntable which comes with the VMN95E cartridge/stylus. The sound was pretty good through my setup (Schiit Mani 2 preamp > NAD C316BEE amp > Klipsch R-620F speakers), but I was curious how this ML stylus would sound.The most undeniable improvement is this ML stylus picks up way less surface noise (crackle). Night and day difference, easy for anyone to notice. Another important improvement is the lifespan of the stylus (1,000 hours vs only 300 hours for the VMN95E). As far as the sound difference on my particular rig, I noted the following improvements: the ML reveals more detail, and has more clarity. The VMN95E often exhibited muddy bass frequencies and sounded very "thuddy", whereas this ML stylus has tighter bass freqs which sound under-control and pleasing/smooth. The very highest frequencies also seem to sound smoother and more pleasing to the ear. Listening to Sam Cooke's Night Beat album I felt I could not only hear the WORDS he was singing, but I could also hear what his face/mouth were doing while he sang those words into the microphone(s).In short, if you just want to casually play records and/or don't have a decent audio system the VMN95E is a fine option. But if you have picky ears and a decent system, it's definitely worth the money to upgrade to the ML. Sounds better, lasts longer, and picks up far less surface noise.I checked my tracking force after swapping the stylus, and no adjustment was needed. Alignment also appears/sounds intact, no adjustment needed.