I disagree, it has poor specifications to recreate IMAGING,
If you are playing Vinyl, and you have better Imaging out of your cartridge, even an inexpensive system can create better imaging of the intended results, which are ALL Phantom, placed as intended by the artists and engineers.
AT 95 series, Elliptical you get only 20db channel separation, and too wide 2db channel balance.
| Cartridge & Stylus |
| Frequency Response |
20-22,000 Hz |
| Channel Separation |
20 (dB at 1 kHz) |
| Vertical Tracking Angle |
23° |
| Vertical Tracking Force |
1.8-2.2 g (2.0 g standard) |
| Stylus Construction |
Bonded round shank |
| Recommended Load Impedance |
47,000 ohms |
| Coil Impedance |
3.3 k ohms (1 kHz) |
| DC Resistance |
485 ohms |
| Coil Inductance |
550 mH (1 kHz) |
| Output Voltage |
4.0 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.) |
| Output Channel Balance |
2.0 dB (1 kHz) |
| Stylus Shape |
0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical |
| Cantilever |
Aluminum pipe |
| Static Compliance |
17 x 10 – 6 cm / dyne |
| Dynamic Compliance |
7 x 10 – 6 cm / dyne (100 Hz) |
| Mounting |
Half-inch |
| Cartridge Weight |
6.1g |
| Dimensions |
17.2 mm (0.68") H × 18.9 mm (0.74") W × 28.3 mm (1.20") D |
| Accessories Included |
Two 11 mm installation screws, two 8 mm installation screws, two washers |
| Model |
AT-VM95E |
| Mounting Feature |
Half-inch mount |
| Recommended Load Capacitance |
100 to 200 pF |
| Replacement Stylus |
AT-VMN95E |
| Stylus Size |
0.3 x 0.7 mil |
| Type |
VM Stereo Dual Magnet |
| Weight |
6.1 g (0.22 oz) |
| Wire Used for Coil |
T.P. Copper |
...............................................
upgrade to ML stylus, separation is better, but still only 23db, balance narrows only to 1.5db
I’m not saying it won’t sound pleasing, just that a lot of the intended Imaging will be less impactful and locations anywhere of individual musicians will lack precision. Once you have great Imaging, you won’t want to live without it.
They just upgraded their cartridges, they did not upgrade their AT540ML which is one I have always mentioned. The new ones have threaded inserts in the bodies, the old ones still have notches and need damnable bolts onto threaded shafts
VM540ML
- Overview
- Gallery
- Features
- Specifications
- Reviews
$279.00
Overview
VM540ML (note: the text is from when it was new, a long time ago)
The VM540ML MicroLine® stylus cartridge is the premier 500 Series model in Audio-Technica’s new VM cartridge line – a line that harks back to A-T’s early days as a manufacturer primarily of high-end phono cartridges, while also incorporating today’s advanced technology. Like all VM cartridges, the VM540ML is equipped with dual magnets that are positioned to match the left and right channels in the stereo record groove for outstanding channel separation and extended frequency response. The cartridge’s MicroLine® stylus allows it to trace the record groove with incredible accuracy, resulting in nuanced audio reproduction that elliptical and conical styli simply can’t match. The stylus’s multilevel shape also wears better than other styli, while reducing the wear on your records. Includes mounting hardware.
Features
Specifications
| Cartridge & Stylus |
| Frequency Response |
20-27,000 Hz |
| Channel Separation |
28 dB (1 kHz) |
| Vertical Tracking Angle |
23° |
| Vertical Tracking Force |
1.8-2.2 g (2.0 g standard) |
| Stylus Construction |
Nude square shank |
| Recommended Load Impedance |
47,000 ohms |
| Coil Impedance |
2,700 ohms (1 kHz) |
| DC Resistance |
800 ohms |
| Coil Inductance |
460 mH (1 kHz) |
| Output Voltage |
4.0 mV (at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec) |
| Output Channel Balance |
1.0 dB (1 kHz) |
| Stylus Shape |
2.2 x 0.12 mil MicroLine® |
| Cantilever |
Aluminum tapered pipe |
| Static Compliance |
40 x 10-6 cm/dyne |
| Dynamic Compliance |
10 x 10-6 cm/dyne (100 Hz) |
| Mounting |
Half-inch |
| Dimensions |
17.3 mm (0.7") H x 17.0 mm (0.7") W x 28.2 mm (1.1") D |
| Accessories Included |
Six cartridge installations screws (5mm x 2, 8mm x 2 and 10mm x 2), two washers, two round nuts, non-magnetic screwdriver, brush, lead wire set |
| Mounting Feature |
Half-inch mount |
| Recommended Load Capacitance |
100-200 pF |
| Replacement Stylus |
VMN40ML |
| Stylus Size |
0.12 x 2.2 mil |
| Type |
VM Type |
| Weight |
6.4 g (0.2 oz) |
when it's stylus wears out, you can put one of the 3 new VMNx versions with boron cantilever
It's not expensive compared to many others, but from the 95 series, it is a big jump up in price, from $80. to $280, but this +$200 is what truly makes a difference in ALL your LPs, so sell something else, skip spending some other money, you will be quite glad you did!
