How Does an AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-VM95E compare to a DENON MC Phono Cart? Let's Review!

Instagram : 6AM_yt

[@laurelhardy4064]

The good thing about the Audio-Technica VM series cartridges are that you can change the stylus to a more exotic ones, like a micro-line or a shibata, which I think will change the sound significantly, so I would just change the stylus before buying a brand new cartridge like the Nagaoka MP-110, which is another elliptical stylus cartridge, the shibata stylus will give you a bit warmer sound than the micro-line, if that's what you looking for, there's a video on KZbin which compares the two, ATVM95ML vs ATVM95SH, thanks for the video.

[@6AM_YT]

I'm not sure if I'm looking for a warmer sound. More detail, more air, less harsh would be what I'm after. I'll have to re-watch some of those comparison videos now that I know what it sounds like in my system.

[@morenocasalegno3532]

I heard a lot of good things about the Goldring Blue. I have currently the ATVM95SH and ATVM95ML, both great upgrades to the 95E, and the Nagaoka MP-110 having bought the Fluance with that one installed. The Nagaoka seems more soft and musical, so using for long listening, while the at, especially the ml more clear and precise.

[@samgates2059]

Cantilevers are made from various materials, aluminum being for a lot of low to medium priced cartridges. More expensive cartridges use things like boron or ruby but there are others.

[@6AM_YT]

Thanks!

[@antonisxenos1053]

This amazing! A talking hand!

[@morenocasalegno3532]

BTW the random trout mask replica reminded me the frustration I'm having to find a decent version for a decent price.

[@roetsj]

The EN is the best buy in this series

[@septiseptimiu8287]

Yes, i have the AT-VM95E cartridge and didn't used it so much, for example i liked more the sound of the AT95E. Couple days ago i discovered the AT-VM needle has a wrong SRA angle and the needle being angled outward instead to be angled inward, and i also seen on the internet other people having this issue so i don't know what to think but mine and some other i seen on the internet are just deffective, so i won't use or buy this anymore.

[@petersammon8771]

Before you get fiddling with an mp-110 maybe you Oughta consider a gold ring E2 or Ortofon 2M Red. Both are currently selling for $99

[@6AM_YT]

I had a Gold Ring on a MMF 5 and I didn’t like it. I dislike the sound of the 2M Red.

[@Nccr3-ht8gm]

Most Mc cartridges are insanely over priced Especially when there a product with a limited life Personality I think it's more then the stylus shape that makes a good cartridges

[@hendryparman3782]

Hi there, interesting review. Yeah, the stylus has huge impact on the sound and dynamics, was running a nagaoka mp-110 later upgrade to nagoka mp-200, then a friend of mine ask I wanted buy a nagaoka mp-200 needle because he made wrong buying. So I made a experiment put that nagaoka mp-200 needle to the nagaoka mp-110 generator, and wow what a difference compared to the bonded original needle. But as I said just a experiment. I'll think the generator on the nagaoka mp-200 is much more sophisticated than the mp-110.

[@6AM_YT]

Interesting. Perhaps it's dumb, but I feel like the current price of the MP-200 is more than I'd want to drop on an MM cart. I realize this is probably just internal biases towards MC carts. I might be willing to do a MP-150. We'll see where the winds take me. haha...

[@hendryparman3782]

Understand your point took me a year to make my mind to make this purchase, but what surprised me was the denon dl-110 how well it preformed, really nice cartridge, and just about half the price of a nagaoka mp-200. Hehe

[@6AM_YT]

The DL-110 is about the same price now. It used to be a great deal.

[@kevinpatrickmacnutt]

The micro linear version of the cart is even better.

[@Dave-if5qj]

VM 95 are simply musical And well balanced

[@PeteBasel]

AT Vm95EN - the nude version of this cart, or the VM95SH Shibata version.

[@6AM_YT]

Probably the nude. I would probably get a better overall cart before going with the Shibata.

[@petersammon8771]

❤ try an Ortofon 2M Red @ $99 or an A-T Xp 5 stylus in Ur VM95 CART $44 for the stylus and track it @ 2.8 G. Cheap way to go but it works wonders!!!❤

[@6AM_YT]

I find the 2M Red to be too bright sounding for my ears but people do love them.

[@QoraxAudio]

Err... your thumbnail says "complete"... just saying. I have the VM95E too, great value for the price. I use it frequently and yes, it's surprisingly close to way more expensive cartridges... definitely diminishing returns at play. The VMN95ML microline stylus fits on there, making it an even better value proposition! The biggest difference between MM and MC is the size of the soundstage - MC is way superior at it. Btw, take into consideration that the phono cables add to the total load capacitance. You should get some low capacitance cables for MM cartridges.

[@6AM_YT]

Thanks for seeing that! I'll fix it. Have you tried any of the better replacement stylii?

[@QoraxAudio]

@@6AM_YT No I haven't tried the other VM95 styli upgrades, but I know how significant the difference is. I own a VM530EN (nude elliptical) which is a higher-end equivalent and a VMN40ML (microline) stylus that fits on it. It's more or less the same thing - massive upgrade. The microline tip removes nearly all IGD due to its narrower and longer tip radius. Brings out a lot more detail. And if you buy used records, chances are that microline will play them like they're new (after a deep clean), since those ride lower in the groove... the lower part is usually left untouched by the (cheap) stylus of the previous owner of the record. Edit: the VMN95ML is still on my shopping list though. But I pre-ordered a nice turntable, so the money is gone for now.

[@QoraxAudio]

@@6AM_YT Hah! Looks like your thumbnail has been updated already! Nice 👍

[@6AM_YT]

There's never enough money to buy all the things!

[@loboptlu]

Next time put the protection on ;)

[@jocool7370]

I'm also looking for a Denon DL-160. I can't find it anywhere.....

[@6AM_YT]

They stopped making it a while ago. If you have a phono preamp that does moving coil, I'd go with a DL103 instead. It sounds better than the DL160.

[@deamantas]

I compared a Audio Technica AT-13 EA vs a Denon DL-110. AT-13 all the way because the Denon Movibg Coil lacks Bass and warmth while the AT-13 Moving Magnet has much more Output and Drive and sound much more natural. I'm a musician and no HiFi freak.

[@6AM_YT]

I'm really loving my AT33Sa. I used to love the Denon stuff, but AT has kind of stolen my heart a little bit.

[@deamantas]

But there is one system I feel very sorry for it has been annihilated during a wild party by a "technician" who was drunken af: the ELAC ESG-792E moving magnet pick up. If someone is into Metal🤘🏼especially Death Metal with tuned down guitars, this is nearly the best system you can imagine! The only disadvantage, the pick-up is no longer manufactured and original styli are very expensive and also rare. I can't tell what is the quality of the clones of the elliptical stylus and I never used a Shibata or van'den Hull stylus (the ESG-794,795 and 796 have the same magnet body but another better, but more expensive, styli).