Is it worth the upgrade? The ATVM95ML (link in description)

[@robfrench3379]

I agree absolutely brilliant cartridge and stylus. I love it

[@StylusDrop]

Nice review! Looks like a nice example of the original AR turntable you have there!👍🏻

[@markcarrington8565]

Great cartridge. It’s worth sourcing an alignment protractor which has two sets of parallel lines marked on the sweep across the record. It will help optimise the tracking across the whole record, not just the inner grooves. By the way, the AR turntable is fine with this level of cartridge. It’s simple looks disguise its quality.

[@slowpawstevet3676]

i have used the shibata version of this cartridge for a couple of years and its a keeper, also they are very easy to fit and set up.

[@TheAlmostAudiophile]

Next time I upgrade my stylus I plan to try out the shibata.

[@realmackle]

@@TheAlmostAudiophile it has kind of a wider, fuller sound with softer more rounded highs. From the soundtests I heard I went with the shibata.

[@Zockopa]

In my experience the VM95ML is one of the best budget cartridges since its release some years ago. It needs relativly low load capacitance around 200pf tho,but it is not overly picky about the tonearm (mass) as long as its not a ultra light or ultra heavy one. Imho a ideal replacement cartridge for many vintage turntables with medium mass S-tonearms. But it also works fine for example in lighter pre ULM straight Dual tonearms from the seventies. Soundwise its a tonally balanced cartridge with a slight tendency to the analytical side.

[@jedi-mic]

Twist the cartridge when you mount it. twist it in a little bit up to probably 2 mm start off at 1mm that will help with your inner groove distortion plus the arm is too high designed to be lower the pivot point is meant to be at the height of the mat

[@TheAlmostAudiophile]

Thanks for the tip!

[@TheAlmostAudiophile]

When I look at the tonearm and headshell from a direct side view they appear to be parallel. Could I be missing something? Several others have also commented about it appearing that it isn’t correct on my setup. Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

[@TheAlmostAudiophile]

Thank you! I will look into this. Though when I first looked into headshells for the AR I ran into a problem, the connection is not standard, that’s why I purchased a replica of the original. Standard 1/2” headshells are not compatible with the original AR tonearm. I’ll check to see if the Ortofon will work with it.

[@TheAlmostAudiophile]

Actually, it’s the threads on the nut that holds the headshell in place, they don’t work with standard mounts. Maybe there’s another headshell design that’s compatible but I haven’t found it yet.

[@TheAlmostAudiophile]

No worries. Thanks for the input regardless.

[@watdanuqta-mf5ms]

Okay, so I have watched, perused I think all of your videos and I appreciate that they're not vey long. Since I'm on the AT ML cart review, it is an excellent cartridge and honestly wonder if it's not too good for that turntable. The ARXA is a nice turntable. It's just not that special anymore. Yes, it might be better than the tables you have owned, but that's not saying much. I'm still amazed that you found your path to that cartridge because that cartridge and the entire Audio Technica line I think represents about the best bang for the buck at most price points. The contact line stylus is press fitted(nude) to the cantilever without a shank with fewer resonating parts, lower tip mass equals improved sound not to mention the superior polish on the stylus and better than say any offering from someone like Ortofon which I think are overrated. Simply put, this cartridge will work on a ten, fifteen, twenty grand turntable setup and just as important a better phono preamp. In other words, it will sound better and better on better equipment, it's that good. I don't think you ever see a cartridge like that on a table like that. So kudos to you.

[@TheAlmostAudiophile]

Thanks for the comments and advice. I have no doubt that the stylus I’m using could be better maximized with higher end equipment. For the time being I’m pleased with the audible improvement it gives my system. I intend to make upgrades to my system down the road as I continue on in my journey.

[@frisbiet]

Thanks for sharing, I use a 95E also because it was cheap and was wondering how much of an upgrade to the ML would be, I like to swap cartridges to learn the differences, and needle replacement is easy with this AT.

[@TheAlmostAudiophile]

Check out the links in the description.

[@MegaPalesz]

Of these, the shibita brown cartridge is the best,.Get a decent head on the arm.!This is catastrophic!

[@TheAlmostAudiophile]

I am not noticing a problem with the head. Would you be able to explain further?

[@xburgos1]

Your going deeper on the groove with also more contact More details and info being transported from the Micro Line stylus ❤

[@jamesherman3750]

VM95E causes a lot of sibilance in the vocals for me. Is it improved or removed here in the ML?

[@TheAlmostAudiophile]

I have not experienced excessive sibilance in either the 95e or 95ml. Although I admit my experience is anecdotal, I’ve not heard anyone else comment about 95e or ml excessive sibilance issues.

[@phishpot]

The ML does a great job of reducing/ removing sibilance distortion. If you still have problems, blame it on either 1) the condition of the disc, or, 2) the mastering engineer allowing it to be too sibilant to begin with.

[@xburgos1]

The sibilance on that “e” could most likely be from a wrong set up not the cart Ck the overhang and VTA and especially the azimuth geometry it’s super critical and it’s usually what causes this plus the VTA at 92 degrees (no more than that) and start at the middle range of the tracking force and adjust up heavier until base and vocals are as clear as possible and the base is punchy and not rumbling or missing. Good luck