Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge with Microlinear Nude Stylus,red

Product Information

The measurements didn’t change significantly when testing with a body supplied with the cheaper VM95E.

Technica VM95ML vs. VM95SH, generically Audio Technica VM95ML vs. VM95SH, generically

Since the bodies are different (though should be close) and the headshells and wires are different, along with the other minor differences you mentioned, you should try swapping the two stylus assemblies and see if the results stay the same. After reading some post I learned that this was due to capacity and I bought an Art Dj Pre II for 55€ - and the brightness was gone instantly. After raising the level of File 2 even by the minor +3 db it becomes a bit more nuanced in comparison. I wouldn't have used those descriptors w/r/t the ML before yesterday's very non-scientific shootout.

I am also loving the SH and my experience with it ( had it about 4 months now ) pretty much matches yours. I’ve used the 740ml for a few years and a few months ago got a 750sh and found the differences similar to you. File one was louder as has been mentioned and I didn’t try to match them but file 2 sounded the more natural, 1 was a bit too etched. Studios may do it because of financial pressures but they don't like that and it will degrade the sound.

Praise for the AT-VM95ML | Steve Hoffman Music Forums Praise for the AT-VM95ML | Steve Hoffman Music Forums

There’s a lot of drive here, though the VM95 is not voiced such that standout bumps in frequency make it an unpleasant listen. Some copies on streaming sites just seem a bit shit, like no effort's been made, while some vinyl masters are also rubbish. Other people may have slightly different results, especially if they are using a different phono preamp with different capacitance, not to mention tonearm cabling and so on. I'll be changing only the stylus so it should be "fair" in that sense, although I can't promise level-matching to the nth degree. On the other hand if you have a warm sound overall and want a bit more sparkle up top then kicking things up a notch with the ML should be a good option.It is simply a fact of vinyl playback that better groove tracking yields more top end information, which can appear as over-brightness. The same is true here, though the VM95E is much more refined and tames the top end, while remaining agile and expressive.