Audio-Techinca ATVM95EN and AT-VM530EN Review

Let's talk about two very nice Audio-Technica phono cartridges: The AT-VM95EN and the AT-VM530EN. Skip ahead with timestamps below.
Intro: 0:00
Cartrdige/Stylus Basics: 2:12
AT-VM95EN Reeview: 15:56
AT-VM530EN Review: 27:11
A word about "Cart Of Yore" 36:44

[@EzeeLinux]

NUTS: In the vid, I state that the only way to mount the cart is "nuts up" but I have since been told that it is indeed possible to have the screw heads at the top. Whichever works best for you. Either way, the position of the nuts doesn't effect the sound. :)

[@steveowens398]

This was amazingly helpful. I had already settled on the ATVM95EN for my next cartridge (moving from a worn AT-95E), but I may now go with the AT-VM530EN with an external phono preamp.

[@TDip]

Awesome learning video for hifi newbies - thanks Joe!

[@jikenj]

Great video Joe very informative I've recently upgraded to the VM series from the 95e and I took the leap and got the vm95sh and had some really good luck mounting it to a vintage Philips 212 I'm hearing things I've never heard before from albums tracks very well. I noticed you gloss over the VTA adjustments I don't have VTA on my vintage Phillips but looking at the arm it looks almost parallel and have no issues with sound.

[@HitsTownUSA]

Great review and thanks for the shout out Joe!! I remember reading that the VM500 series styluses cannot be interchanged with the VM700's. The VM740ML is a good buy ONLY if you plan at some point of upgrading to the Shibata or line contact stylus in the future, otherwise might as well just buy the VM540ML since the only difference between the two is a aluminum housing for better shielding. Both the 540ML and 740ML share the same cantilever/stylus and both share the same dual magnet construction inside the cartridge itself. A pity, Audio Technica did not offer these 700 series carts with a boron cantilever like they did with the now discontinued AT150MLX. That cart was legendary!

[@EzeeLinux]

Right... 500 series styli are interchangeable. I might not have made that clear enough in the vid. Thanks for the good feedback! :)

[@HitsTownUSA]

@@EzeeLinux You did mentioned it. I just have a bad habit of being a echo chamber lol.

[@OldMusicOnVinyl1]

Phil, I love how you've become such a "cartridge nut" as Joe so eloquently describes! You have come so far from the old days of simply mounting an Ortofon Concorde DJ to your turntable...the additional sophistication is worth it.

[@HitsTownUSA]

@@OldMusicOnVinyl1 Haha I finally realized there is a big sound difference between DJ and HiFi cartridges. Wish I would have upgraded years earlier.

[@cjmillsnun]

VM500 styli are interchangable with VM700. Both the VM540ML and VM740ML use the MN40ML Stylus.

[@gavinyoung7085]

I was using the VM530EN for years. Actually, an AT120EN, but they discontinued it so I had to go with the VMN30EN stylus, which was the replacement stylus for that cart. Eventually I upgraded the stylus to the VMN40ML and while it sounds just as good and pretty much exactly the same as my previous VMN30EN, the life of the VMN40ML is over 3 times longer than the VMN30EN, and has less wear on your records due to a larger contact area. I'm pretty sure my old VMN30EN had a life of 250-300 hours, whereas the VMN40ML has a life of 1000 hours. These hours specs were in the manual that came with the respective stylus. The outlay for the ML might be a bit more, but to last 3 times longer than the EN and have less wear on my records is totally worth it to me.

[@spockocaster]

Hi Joe, I have the LPw40WN and love it. Was looking into upgrading the stylus to the VM95EN, but just wanted to ask you do you think it's worth upgrading the whole cart to the v530EN? I was also looking at the Nagaoka MP-110. I run all this into an old Pioneer SA7300 amplifier into some KEF Cresta 2 speakers. It's a fun system, not a critical listener but I like good sound all the same. Thanks

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

Great review. as always. I have many carts/styli but am currently running a vintage AT130E that I got on an old turntable from a thrift. It was missing the styli, so I ordered a new VMN40ML. It's by far the best combo I own. When I bought my SL1200mk2 used, several decades ago, it came with a Stanton 688EL cart and D6800EL stylus. Not knowing much about carts and styli at the time, I replaced the stock stylus with an aftermarket from Needle Doctor, which is a horrible POS. I recently found the original stylus in a box and looked at it under a digital microscope and discovered it to actually be in good condition, just very, very dirty. I carefully cleaned it up and I'm astounded by how good it sounds. Very punchy, yet detailed, and like you mentioned, way better than average stereo separation. I've been tracking it at 2.5g, but I haven't been able to find any documentation online as to what is truly recommended by the original manufacturer. It also came with the brush, which I haven't been using. Given your vast experience with these, what tracking force do you recommend with and without the brush? Thanks again. - Daniel

[@EzeeLinux]

The recommended VTF for the 680EL with the .4 x .7 mil stylus is 3 grams. If you're not hearing any objectionable distortion you can leave it at 2.5... The range is 2 to 4., well withing spec. :)

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

@@EzeeLinux Thanks Joe. I tried it at 3g and I think it tightened the bass a bit, but it might just be my imagination. I don't think it will replace my AT130E/VMN40ML combo, which seems to give considerably more nuance, but it's nice to know I have it and it works properly.

[@mumbles420]

Killer overview/review with a lot of great information! I was wondering how the VM530EN will pair with my Technics SL-1900? Is it overkill for that table? My amp is a Marantz 1030(for now). Thank you.

[@asrarul12]

Thanks. Very detailed. One query. Appreciate your comment. Are you discouraging ML of either VM95 or VM500?

[@yeahright73]

Always nice to hear somebody acknowledge the reality of vinyl's capabilities - vinyl is not warm, your TT just can't reproduce the highs accurately and your preamp has a wonky built in EQ curve. I just ordered the VM95EN/H today for my LP140XP, can't wait to check it out.

[@EzeeLinux]

Still digging mine. Good luck! :)

[@michaelwohlwend9649]

Interessting review. I want to upgrade the Carbon cartrige of my Rega P2 (2016). When looking around you often find (with other usual suspects) the vm95ml /sh cartriges. I didn't read about the VM530 line in combination with the Rega p2. Now it seem a good alternative, although it means one more cartridge to take into account (now vm95ml, vm95en, vm530en and sumiko rainier) Thanks for the review!

[@edguyrocks5865]

Joe...good video brotha. I have been using an AT440mlb for 2.5 years. The pros: NO IGD, good bass response, highs galore, plays nice with every record. The cons: not many, other than can get fatigue cuz it almost sounds clear like cds. I have had many other carts...Nagaoka mp110(two of them), Denon DL110, Sumiko Olympia, Sumiko Blue Point #2, Ortofon concorde DJs and DJe. I do miss the Ortofon sometimes. It was warm, round and thumped. Didn't get much IGD, but sometimes on certain records distortion. Plus it was nice to plug and go....don't really worry about setup. I have been looking at another cart to swap out sometimes. For all the Eliptical needles I've tried, I can't get past the IGD. The Sumiko BP#2 was the best and most unique. Had massive stereo separation. The Nagaokas are muddy. My problem with them is they are so damn expensive and even the company suggests replacing the stylus after 100 hours. Thats crazy money. Especially when the Microline stuff you can go like 1500+ easy.

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

The proudly hifi radio station in San Francisco about whom I have spoken before in comments claimed to be using a Micro Acoustics cartridge (model unknown) and they were quite adamant that it was the only way to do truly high fidelity stereo broadcasts at the time. Full disclosure, they were a sponsor there as was just about every other major brand and local dealer.

[@OldMusicOnVinyl1]

12:40 M97xE was bonded .2 x .7 elliptical. The old V15 ellipticals and hyperellipticals were all nude-mount.

[@DJPenguino51]

I was using an Ortofon 2M Red but hated the IGD. Then I got the AT-VM530EN pre mounted into a headshell. It's a bright cart but I'm middle aged so I like the little treble bump. It runs into a rather old Pioneer VSX 5900 receiver which has a decent phono preamp. One thing I noticed right away, aside from the thin at first bass response was the almost 0% IGD. And its stereo separation is definitely wide. It's definitely a headphone friendly cart. And like you, I don't tend to go with carts that have rolled off treble. I like my treble bright and airy and not having it sound muffled or too dark. Once the cart broke in, the treble calmed down some and the bass got better. If it had the bass response of the Nagaoka MP110, the cart would be a 10/10 winner in my book. I give the VM530EN an 8.5 out of 10.

[@ronb6182]

Nice to see some Nostalgia audio products. I was a shure cartridges person but familiar with audio Technica as well. I was a poor boy audio person. I bought most of my better audio equipment usually from radio shack. Not the best but not junk either. Dak industries was another place I bought sound equipment. Both Defunct companies now. I also was into tube amplifiers which I still am. Dynamo is my favorite besides Magnavox. I have an old tube stereo from the late fifties or early sixties. One day I will fire it up with my line voltage reducer or variac transformer.

[@EzeeLinux]

Nostalgia? hardly... Haven't you heard? Records all all the rage now. They made a huge comeback. :)

[@robertyoung1777]

I like the Nagaoka 110 cartridge with my bright/detailed sounding Audio Research amplifier. If you have a bright system the 110 might be great for you.

[@rafacq]

Thanks for the video. How will the AT-VM530EN compares with my old Shure V15 Type II? Should I buy a replacement stylus for the Shure V15 T2 or jump to the new AT? Edit: I bought both, a JICO replacement V15N and a new AT VM95EN/H. I actually prefer the AT VM95EN/H. I will probably buy the ML stylus when the time comes to replace the stylus.

[@HardKickinGroupGermany]

What do you think. I still have a VM95SP for 78s but the cantilever broke off. I don't know what I've done wrong. But anyway, I'm thinking about getting the VM95EN replacement stylus (playing LPs and Singles), but I'm critical at the stereo seperation, because the VM530EN has 27dB and the VM95EN only 22 at 1 kHz. Is it worth the extra money for the 530? I mainly listen through headphones.

[@EzeeLinux]

Take a look at the Goldring E... That's one of the best sound carts I've heard for the price. Perfect for mixed singles and LP's The stereo is very nice with the E and it's much cheaper than the VM530EN. :)

[@robertyoung1777]

Will using plastic washers on the cartridge bolts prevent proper grounding of the cartridge? Thank you!

[@EzeeLinux]

No... It's grounded through the wiring. :)

[@leivabernie]

Question, has anyone heard of the ATN-420E stylus? Trying to get info is impossible.

[@DavidParker-jr5bd]

AT's spec chart for the AT VM95EN says 17.2mm (0.68") in height. Does this mean we can swap styli in the 95 series without fussing with the VTA? Thanks in advance.

[@user-kk3kn3te9x]

hi joe really enjoy your phono cartridge videos as you know the only problem with vinyl is sibilance and distorted voices how does the AT-VM530EN perform with those kind of records thinking of getting one

[@EzeeLinux]

Sibilance Is a sign of improper setup. It usually means either the alignment is way off or the tracking force is too low or a combination of both. Both of these carts track very well if they are dialed in right. :)

[@user-kk3kn3te9x]

@@EzeeLinux thank you joe for your advice.

[@TDip]

Joe would you upgrade AT95E on fluance RT81 turntable? It sounds great to me, but i did just buy AT-VM530EN as well

[@EzeeLinux]

The AT 95E is a great sounding cart and there are some really nice styli available from LP gear and others for it. A stylus upgrade on the 95E is going to get you right at or better than what you'll get from a VM95EN.

[@cubdukat]

Now I really have a dilemma. I'm currently running a VM95ML and I had wanted to switch to a VM540ML, but I'm wondering if it wouldn't be overkill. I mean, I like the sound the 95ML has, but will I be missing out by going to a VM530EN instead? I'm running it on an AT-LP140XP (a slightly better Hanpin Technics clone than the 120), but I will probably be putting it on a real Technics SL-1200 Mk 7 within the next year.

[@EzeeLinux]

The VM 500 series has lower distortion and better stereo separation then the VM95 series has. You get a bigger cleaner sound. I'd definitely recommend it for that Technics table for sure. :)

[@cubdukat]

@@EzeeLinux I decided to go with a VM95SH instead, but now that that’s worn down, I’ll be picking up an EN stylus for the Music Hall turntable and a VM530EN for the AT. Turns out it matches the tone arms on both tables better than the ML or the SH does; plus, it’s the only one of the VM95 styli I haven’t tried yet.

[@DarrellS54]

Since I was a dummy not paying attention I wound up breaking a brand new VM95EN stylus, (don`t ask what happened) I`m breaking down and ordering The Audio-Technica VM530EN. Your review talked me into it. I`m getting tired of shelling out money for this AT120 USB with all its flaws. I use it for digitizing my records . I guess I can just start using my Music Hall 1.5 for that and put the new cart on it and put the Audio Technica away. Thank you for this video.

[@OldMusicOnVinyl1]

There are plenty of USB audio interfaces/recorders you can use to digitize your vinyl via the REC OUT of your amp/phono stage. I got my E-MU 0202 USB in 2007 to record music, but about five years later realized I could use it instead of my computer's 3.5mm line in to digitize my vinyl. Haven't had to use a USB turntable since then. The technological flaws of the AT- LP120 USB are well documented, and after running a DEAD silent DD turntable (Dual 701) and another, near dead silent DD (Akai AP-A201) for years, I would never stoop down to an LP120 for day to day listening... Sure, the LP120X is known to have various improvements, but who knows how much they do away with the motor noise of the old one?

[@DarrellS54]

@@OldMusicOnVinyl1 That last comment I posted was out of frustration. My ATLP 120 isn`t as bad as I griped. I did purchase the VM530EN as well as hooking up a ground loop isolator .( Using the built in pre amp). The built in pre amp to me isn`t bad at all. My recordings from record to digital sound great and not getting any buzzing . ( I refuse to call them "needle drops". lol.) The VM 530EN so far has been the best Cartridge I`ve ever bought. Will probably get one for my Music Hall when I have the extra money.

[@OldMusicOnVinyl1]

@@DarrellS54 glad you're happy with your setup! Generally, noise complaints about the LP120 come from low-end rumble in the motor rather than buzzing, though I guess that tends to happen a lot more to setups (like mine) that emphasize the low-end. Power users sometimes like to work around that by damping the platter with cork or rubberized auto undercoating. But if you're unaffected, that's a good thing. I had my share of grounding issues with my Dual 701. I misdiagnosed it for YEARS-kept cleaning the headshell leads (still a necessary maintenance step), stupidly BENT the mute switch out of shape when cleaning it, but then I realized it had removable phono cables. I replaced them with a spare pair and BOOM! out went the hum. The root cause was a bad pair of cables. I didn't have the presence of mind to look in a place that obvious! 😱

[@mycosys]

You guys realise if you have a decent audio interface theres very little point using a phono preamp at all for digital archival? you would likely be better off using the interface mic preamps and applying the RIAA in software rather than adding an additional analog stage, i mean unless youre using seriously expensive preamps that can add 40dB quieter than your interface.

[@paulaj2829]

I've been running My AT- Stylus models on my Linn K9 Cartridge & find that they give me as good a sound quality as I could get.. Any thoughts on this would be well appreciated because I am very interested in different ways of running these different stylus models & for giving info to all the younger people out there who also want to learn about real music..

[@jasonk2732]

Are the Jico Stanton replacement stylus any good ? I have a couple of 680 ‘s here to try

[@EzeeLinux]

I've heard they are... They are expensive, though. I have never gotten the courage to buy one for the prices they ask. :)

[@Trojan0304]

After a hearing test I was told you have trouble with soft female voices. Should I stay with basic cartridge VM95e?

[@jeremy_h]

I kind of want to try the XP styli on this body - they have carbon fiber cantilevers.

[@peterstudley1804]

Great info as always, i have a technics sl 1200g and i love the audio technica at vm530en, i have 2 of them and a 3rd one on the way ,some say i need a better cart and i use more expensive carts but the 530en is my favourite, it looks bland but it performs so well using the phono stage in my technics 700 mk3 amp , as long as your records are clean, i only buy new records, this cartridge reminds me of Japanese cars, bland as hell but ultra reliable and that's exactly what you get with this this cartridge. 😀.

[@owenlaprath4135]

I just love my NUDES! They really do sound a lot better. One exception is Grado, which somehow manages to get near nude performance out of bonded diamonds in low end carts. Then again, Grado has its own specs for diamonds, and under a microscope, the tips look thinner than others, believe it or not! The other really really HUGE exception is the LP-Gear/LP-Tunes ViVid Line styli, which are simply superb, with many of them coming in well under 100 bucks! They are on par with styli twice their price.

[@schmidt8744]

Thanks!

[@Victrola777]

There is now a new stylus for the body called a Super Shibata. I just ordered one the other day and will give it a listen when I get it.

[@EzeeLinux]

Interesting... :)

Here I am from our emails!

[@owenlaprath4135]

Thank you for rectifying this nonsense about "warmth" in LPs. You really cannot have a bright enough sound, which you can always tame a little with the treble control, but when it is not there to start with, that is just bad, and a CD on a 20 dollar DVD player will run circles around a dull cartridge! That warmth mythology dates back to AM radio and its poor sound quality, and just annoys me to no end. Audio Technica with its nudes and MicroLine styli, and many vintage cartridges (I have a Shure body stash) fitted with a Jico SAS (Jico's line contact diamond) or an LP-Gear ViVid-Line, wake up what is hidden on those records that were NOT pressed with 50s and 60s pop and R&B dulled down to sound like AM-radio! I personally hate that AM radio sound, which was typical for the US, but for some reason people expect to hear that very limited dullness. This is why I for one don't bother with old Elvis vinyls and other such junk, that was pressed to sound like a crappy AM radio broadcast. So give me a good classic Deutsche Grammophon, Decca, or Angel Records classical LP, or 70s and later pop/rock/jazz/etc record with a line contact diamond. That will retrieve all that great detail, and you can hear the rustling in the grass, fingers sliding on strings, valves tapping in brass instruments, etc!

[@MegaPalesz]

Audio-Technica VM530EN is a fantastic cartridge!It doesn't need to be better than that.If you buy a much more expensive one, you will invest a lot of money and not get it back in terms of sound!!!

[@davidjejna9700]

I upgraded from the E green needle. Massive difference in my opinion

[@Grimwriggler]

i am sure a Jico stanton would be very very good but i long for a NOS stylus for my 500

[@mycosys]

Every recording i hear of the VM95 series has a sound i would associate with saturation, a mild harmonic distortion. Do you hear that? (Edit - should probably add context, i inherited a Pioneer Rondo 3000X system - tuner/amp & turntable & even the speakers, while the system is low in pioneers range for the 70s, it has a lovely belt drive synchronous motor turntable with a massive cast alloy platter, its in wonderful condition - even has the pristine dress ring on the anti-slip mat, only huge issue i could see is how resonant the platter is.... and the complete lack of a needle in the cartridge. From what i can tell its the original PC-135 cart and i can seemingly buy a VM95E or 520EB for not much more than the aftermarket needle and shipping, and it doesnt seem like the PC-135 was all that good but the turntable mechanism is gorgeous. The 95 is cheap but sounds awful and saturated to me on every recoding i can find, the 520 sounds ok, 530 sounds great, at least as good as this setup possibly warrants. Run into my Onkyo HT amp it should hopefully be satisfying lol.)

[@EzeeLinux]

The bonded elliptical stylus on the ATVM95E is atrocious. If you spend a bit more and get the VM95EN with the nude stylus it's much better. That may be a more cost effective way to go for you. :)

[@iLL-iNNeR-GrOoVe]

Underload the cart for better response. AT MM carts need 100 - 200pf.

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

I nearly bought one of these but went for the Cyrus 6 instead.

[@CyrusBrinkworthRAS]

shure, we are messing some thing"s....

[@EclecticMusicMan]

Totally disagree about the screws going up from the bottom, I have successfully mounted it the correct way on a Debut Carbon Evo.

[@EzeeLinux]

How? The nuts don't fit under the cart itself...

[@EclecticMusicMan]

@@EzeeLinux They fit into that wider section at the bottom of the cart. Flat side of the nut against the cart.

[@EzeeLinux]

@@EclecticMusicMan Never worked like that for me... I couldn't hold the nuts in a position where they could get started properly. Most pix I've seen of this cart also have the nuts on top. Didn't know it would go the other way at all.

[@EclecticMusicMan]

@@EzeeLinux how I managed to get to work was to put the screw through the head shell and loosely attach a nut, then offer up the cart so to get the nut where it should go, then tighten it up just enough to hold the cart in place. The second screw can then be dropped through and using a small flat screw driver with some blu tac on it to offer up the nut under the screw and then tighten. That’s how I did it on a one piece tonearm, although using a separate head shell should be easier as you could lay it on its back. I wish I could show you a picture.

[@charlesludwig9173]

I have the VM540ML and indeed it delivers distortion free CD like tone. IIt mimics tone of my Shure V15V-MR via power from Parasound P6 phono stage.

[@notvalidcharacters]

16:58 "the 95 is a worthy replacement... improvements over the 95E"?? I'm totally confused about the "95" models -- *which* one is the newer and *which* one are you saying isn't up to snuff? I've got a new "VM95E/H" that I haven't put in yet, if it is what it says it is ---- which I'm wondering about because it does have nuts, not threads in the cartridge... would that mean it is not a "AT-VM95E" but rather an "AT-95E" which is older? Or IS it older? And if the AT95 (sans "VM") is supposed to be better, should I not return it for being not what I ordered, but keep it and then need different styli for it? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Seems you're saying the newer VM styli are just not doing the job, but then you go through every one saying good things about them. I'm just not sure where we are.

[@EzeeLinux]

You have an older AT95E wich is a great cart. There are some really good aftermarket styli available for it. The newer model is the ATVM95 series that comes with a range of styli. The EN stylus is good for that cart. :)

[@notvalidcharacters]

@@EzeeLinux Okay so the absence of threads (and the presence of nuts) tells us that it's not a VM model, correct? I need to pin this down because (a) it was sold to me as a VM and (b) I'm inferring that my choices of styli to put on it are going to be different including presumably the 78 stylus I'd like to uh, pick up, no pun intended. If that's the case, then I've been looking at all the wrong styli. Thanks for the quick reply, I was just watching another one of your videos with a pic of the WHOS studio and noting that same old Gates board I was on in the 1980s at WXPN.

[@EzeeLinux]

@@notvalidcharacters No, you do not have a VM95E if it does NOT look like the cart in the thumbnail of this video. You have an older AT95E wich is still a good cart. BTW, the board at WFOS was an LPB, not Gates. I never worked at a station with a Gates board... I saw a lot of them other places, though. :)

[@cmkilcullen8176]

Agree with you on this obsessive stuff with warm sound. Muddy cartridges, speakers... Whatever...

[@vaughntonkin539]

The Polk T15 is a muddy speaker, my Nag 110 sounded muddy with 220pF loading, I changed them to 100pF MKT and replaced the Polks with micca MB42, now much clearer sound

[@mynameistechno]

Why not just record some audio?

[@Dave-if5qj]

I think the 95 series are more musical while 500 seies Are more accurate

[@mycosys]

you didnt even mention the irony of the half metric milli-inch -= Americans really will do anything to avoid SI units lmao

[@EzeeLinux]

For whatever reason, the measuring units a mish-mash for phono carts all over the world, not just in America.

[@budsmoker4201120]

1 mm is 1/1000 of a meter not an inch 😂

[@bartsimpson7654]

bla-bla-bla, where is the comparative sound?

[@EzeeLinux]

On another channel where they don't care bout copyright strikes...

[@bartsimpson7654]

@@EzeeLinux don't be afraid of them, they just scare.