Audio Technica VM-95E Cartridge - do you need better Quality

I avoided buying used, until I decided to take a chance, so far, half a dozen, I have gotten lucky.

If just starting out, and you want new stylus with new suspension?, better imaging specs, lighter tracking?

you can put a new stylus on Many Old discontinued cartridge bodies

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-eu/support/which-stylus-can-i-use-to-replace-my-discontinued-model

scan the list, right side: Any VMN model can be selected

check the left side, research the original specs, wide channel separation some up to 30db and nice tight channel balance, many 1.0, some 0.5db, they work together

from a seller I recommend and bought both an AT150E and an AT160ML from, both with good used Microline on Beryllium for under $300. And both came with the Magnesium Headshell with both azimuth adjustment and overhang adjustment.

$60, no stylus AT150E body

https://reverb.com/item/91712944-without-stylus-audio-technica-at150e-at-150e-mm-cartridge?utm_source=aw&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hifishark.com&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=536903&awc=67144_1762274060_984ea6d5017e13770eb3fb04f47dcadf

now buy a new VMNx Microline Stylus on Boron Rod for it for $260.

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-eu/cartridges/styli-accessories/a-t-moving-magnet-styli/at-vmn45xml?_gl=1*1pfvgnd*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTYxMDAzNjA1MC4xNzYyMjc0NDA4*_ga_9B1Z5FDEW6*czE3NjIyNzQ0MDgkbzEkZzEkdDE3NjIyNzUzMDIkajYwJGwwJGg5ODEyMjY3NQ..

Now, $320. you have NEW SUSPENSION, NEW ML on BORON ROD in a body with excellent Imaging and sound quality. Even better Imaging specs than an all new 540 for $280. which is tapered aluminum.

Of course, they have to sound good too, they do!

 

 

 

@viridian 

Disagree. I have two VM95e's and they stomp all over my 95C on the only tonearm I've listened to both on. Never owned the 540ML, but I don't like the 740ML, which has the same stylus assembly. I like the 750SH much better than the 740ML, or the 760SLC, which I consider very overrated.

My favorite, and currently only Elliptical is Shure M97xe. Not a bargain price like the AT95E

I have two Stylus I use with my M97xe

OEM Elliptical on Aluminum with Damped Brush

and

OEM Damped Brush with rebuilt Boron Rod Cantilever with Line Contact stylus. I bought a broken one and had VAS rebuild it.

I discovered it after shattering my V15VxMR’s stylus way back when.

It sounds very good, tracks 1.25g,  I use it to listen to LPs I intend to sell, rather than wear my other stylus out. 

I like it’s optional damped brush. I used the damped brush on both Shure’s all the time with my TD124, only for warps now with this TT in this more stable location.

I often listen to Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams, the entire album, when comparing

wider imaging, not just overall, but space between .....

tighter imaging, i.e. specific locations of musicians, instruments, notes, and vocalists, both Annie and backing

sharper, perhaps tighter, perhaps extended bass, this is what I hope for when using Sapphire, Boron, Beryllium: tight accurate movement, the forces in the grooves are tremendous.

extended highs, not screeching, but what’s there to hear, in addition to what you have been hearing?

After I use the CD with test tones, and a SPL meter, and adjust my speakers L Pads, and then final tweak to taste. Took 1-1/2 days last time, they never sounded better.

I get younger ears over here to help me avoid any screeching I am not hearing.