Perhaps Hanpin improved newer gen LP120s, but I doubt it is in the same league as Technics or Rega. I don't have an attitude; I was merely stating fact. It seems silly to suggest to someone that their stylus is wearing down because of misalignment when completely ignoring the possibility that someone is seasoned enough to understand that styli wears down after time. Is that not a confirmable fact? A comparison between audio technica At-VM95E, Linn K9 with NOS stylus and later with the VM95E stylus and Goldring E3. Plus it has more info on the Linn K5 and K9. Regarding your turntable, personally I would sell it and get a more substantial equipment if funds/wife permits.

Characteristics shared between all styli are a warm, full-bodied sound that is also quite punchy. There’s a lot of drive here, though the VM95 is not voiced such that standout bumps in frequency make it an unpleasant listen. Rather it has a bit of ‘oomf’ to use a technical term that makes it, if anything, great fun above all else. It sounds much like the predecessor, though with more evenhandedness and control than the AT95, which tends to sound dry and a bit dull in comparison. VM95CAT themselves never marketed any upgraded styli for the AT95 leaving other companies to take on the task including LP Gear, Jico and The Audio Files, who’s 95P Paratrace is considered by many the best of the bunch. The VM95 Range Both the Ortofon 2M Red and AT VM95E have versatile bodies with easily upgradeable styli. Definitely, good value for money since you’ll only need to replace the stylus and not the entire thing. Probably the most notable difference is the treble, where the Ortofon 2M Red stands out. The opinion of the masses, on whether this is a good thing or not, is pretty divided. AT120Eb sounded promising initially but the treble region became even more pronounced once run in swamping other frequencies.

Indicates whether MUID is transferred to ANID, a cookie used for advertising. Clarity doesn't use ANID and so this is always set to 0.In that case any change to this stalwart and venerable device must be heralded with narrow-eyed incredulity if not outright suspicion, because, if it ain’t broke, then why on earth would Audio Technica try and fix it? The following styli may also be compatible as long as the LP’s dimensional groove build can handle it: For this round, the Ortofon 2M Red notably leans toward the treble, whereas the AT VM95E is more balanced on the frequencies. This means the latter doesn’t favor either treble or bass. The budget VM95C conical stylus (blue) measured -2dB down at 10kHz, the VM95E (green) -1dB giving a slightly brighter sound balance. The VM95EN had no loss at 10kHz, plus less on inner grooves.

If you want a brighter sound than the 95EN, then the 540, 740, 750, and 760 will deliver that. You could also just turn up the treble control if you have one.

AT-VM95E

We are pleased to present the results of what we believe to be the first thorough listening test and review of the VM95 range outside of ATs own facilities. On a warmish evening in mid October our own Gary Hargreaves of Improved Performance Turntables Ltd, Colin Yallop of Chevron Audio and Mark Wheeler (Reviewer for TNT Audio) sat down and played some music using the VM95 Range. Gary’s review follows: Elliptical diamond stylus follows the groove modulation with greater precision compared to a conical stylus, offering improved frequency and phase responses whilst reducing distortion. Preassembled With AT-HS6BK Headshell With the AT-VM95E mounted on an SME M2-9 tonearm on a Michell GyroDec, the changes between the new model and the old are revealed to be more than cosmetic. The AT-95E was never the last word in subtlety and refinement and while the AT-VM95E is still on the brighter side of neutral, it brings a level of refinement to its presentation that the older model couldn’t achieve and is extremely impressive judged by the standards of its sub-price point. All styli will fit the K18 once modified. The front mount containing the threaded hole on the K18 needs reducing by 1mm on its sides, face and bottom. The 95 type styli need a 2mm hole drilling into their front face. The number one criteria I adopted here was how easy it was to follow the tune however it is only my opinion and people listen for different things in their music.

Chris: Not anymore. I.e., if you compare the specs for their more recent models (e.g. VM740ML and VM750SH), you'll see, that AT's newer MLs no longer are r/R 2.5/75 µm (= 0.1/3.0 mil), as formerly specified in their older tip shape comparison charts, but 0.12/2.2 mil vs. 0.26/2.7 mil for their current Shibatas. So their new MLs merely still have a smaller, still very sharp minor radius, but the major radius shrunk below the major radius of their current Shibatas. The VM-95 body is an example of Audio-Technica’s dual-magnet design and in the 95E is partnered with a bonded elliptical stylus that is mounted on an aluminium pipe-style cantilever. This borrows from the special EX version of the AT-95 that comes fitted as standard to the company’s LP5 turntable ( HFC 405). The body has been designed to reduce resonance and feels a whole lot more substantial than the original AT-95E. These are the general observations from the other styli once broken in compared to the 95e. None are them were poor they were just not as musical as the 95; The stylus is a shaped piece of industrial diamond that is affixed to the end of the cantilever. The shape is the point of differentiation. At the simplest level, it is a cone shaped tip that moves through the groove of the record responding to the information that is contained therein. By increasing the length of the tip and decreasing the width, it is possible to make the stylus sit deeper in the groove of the record and extract more information - the conical tip becomes an elliptical one. A downgrade would be possible, too, but then the real question now would be: Why would you want to do that?AT7V (note similar spec to the original K18 stylus) sounded very lively, quite rhythmic but had problems keeping bass notes in tune and in time.