Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML Microlinear Replacement Turntable Stylus Red

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.

Audio-Technica did it right by creating upgradable cartridges that can be stepped up in quality, simply by replacing the stylus. They've essentially become the new Shure! The AT-VM95 series cartridges all use the same body, differing only in the included stylus. They offered a conical stylus the entry level, all the way to Shibata. They also offer one for 78rpm records. I started with the elliptical, upgrading first to the Shibata, which allows proper play of CD-4 records. The Micro-Line is one step down from the Shibata, and is aimed more more contact between the stylusand record groove. This includes parts of the groove that remained untouched by conical or elliptical styli Older records sound new again. All of these styli track at 2 grams, maximizing record life. Many new turntables are now including an AT-VM95 cartridge already installed. For most users, that should suffice. For those with extensive record collections that are still being played, the Micro-Line stylus (the red one) will breathe new life into those older records. I do recommend proper cleaning of any record to sound their best and last their longest.

I used this to replace a Green 'E' stylus. I had about 700 hours on that one and I was noticing a "muddy" sound to albums. The Green 'E' has a 300-hour design life. With the Red 'ML' stylus, I noticed a very obvious improvement to my listening experience, and I don't consider myself an audiophile. Bass popped. Vocals clearer. I lean towards rock and metal. Tool's Fear Inoculum was stellar and I heard things that were not noticeable before. I dug out some ancient records from my collection that, even though well cared for, had become near unlistenable due to extreme wear from the old "shark tooth" needles I used before I could afford proper equipment. I chose Zeppelin IV, Black Sabbath's Paranoid and AC/DC's Back in Black. All have many hundreds of plays. I found, that while some pops remained, for the most part the sound was fantastic and greatly improved. Supposedly, the needle shape allows it to ride deeper in the groove, below where my older needles rode. So, it is in virgin territory. This needle has a 1000-hour design life. So improved durability and quality over the Green 'E.'

So I am using this needle on an audio-technica turntable that has the cartridge built in to the tone arm. The first couple cheaper needles did not do too much justice to my records, so I finally got fed up and shelled out the money on this needle. The needle sounds really great and doesn't have hardly any inner groove distortion like the cheaper needles for this rig. Its still a relatively budget friendly option, its not audiophile grade. But it sounds pretty good with my rig going into an eq and then into a set of klipsch r-40pm powered speakers. The bass is much more articulate with this needle, the highs aren't as dry as the cheaper needles, and overall its just got a good balanced tone.

I've 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 I've 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 couldn't hear any major difference between a needle that has a few hundred hours of playtime over a brand new 95ML was a surprise. I'm not sure how drastic an improvement or change I was expecting, but there certainly was no AH-HA moment or WOW factor. It's 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 there's your answer. We'll see if this 95ML Red holds up nearly as well. Don't 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 don't know what Amazon's policy is for linking YouTube reviews, but if you want to actually HEAR the comparison I've 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.

My green one was probably past it's prime so I upgraded to this red one. What people say here in numerous reviews is true: A very discernable increase in sound quality and a reduction in pops and surface noise. Seriously it's close to 100 percent better. If you have the green one I'd just put this one on right off.

It's everything everyone is saying it is. I came about the AT stylus because they can be modified to fit Clear Audio cartridges which are around $1300. I was previously using the green one but this micro linear is a HUGE improvement. Bass is well defined and one can hear every clasp of the hi-hats in the mix. Vocals upfront and warm. For those of you that have a Marantz TT 51SL, this IS your replacement stylus. There are videos on YouTube that show you how to cut down the housing to fit inside, say a Clear Audio Virtuoso cartridge.

Excellent upgrade from the standard conical stylus. Fit perfectly in the cartridge body and setup was easy as no additional adjustments are needed. As it is said to last twice as long as other styli available, it becomes a very good value for the money plus it tracks records extremely well.

I wanted to clock up at least 10-15hrs listening time on this stylus, before commenting on the sound quality of it. Well, the don't call it a "reference" stylus for nothing; it doesn't colour the music at all, it isn't bass or tremble heavy, it's neutral (which any great stylus should be). The highs are much more tamed, than the green Stylus AT95E. There's no "harshness" to the highs. The sound imaging is much more 3D. There's more resonance and complexity/depth to voices. For example, currently listening to a mono pressing of Nina Simone's Little Girl Blue (my receiver has a mono switch), and her voice is incredible. I know that it's said all the time, but it honestly sounds like she's in my living room, playing the piano and singing as if she's performing live. It isn't exactly an exact science, but rrp of the red from their website, is 3.5 times the price, of the green. Is the red 4 times better sounding? Probably not, but that isn't the point. With a use lifetime of about 300-500 hrs of the green vs 1000 hrs = about $160 plus postage of the green, to get almost the same amount of hrs of use, as the red, but at half the price still. Therefore, is the red head twice as good sounding as the green? In my opinon, at least, probably slightly more so, but you'll need at least at the minimum, a reasonable quality inbuilt phono stage, to get the most out of the purchase. A reasonable quality dedicated external phono stage, in %95 of cases, will be streets ahead of an inbuilt one. Is it worth the upgrade? Absolutely. Manufactures do customers such a disservice by selling turntables with the green At's as standard. Boasting about the audio prowess of vinyl, doesn't make a lot of sense, if selling with the green AT's as standard.

Great change of sound for such an affordable budget! Great product, so easy to replace with the existing one

Amazing result

Excelente, parece que estou ouvindo um cd ou música digital, porém o achei o valor alto para uma agulha.

Reçu en parfaite état. Remplace le stylet d'origine Audio Technica AT-VM95E BK (black) sur la platine Audio Technica AT-LP8X. Je vous assure, elle fait une mise à niveau parfaite. Le rendu sonore est exceptionnel peu de distorsion, ceci est audible dès les premières écoutes. Les avis sont justes, Excellente qualité, bon produit.