AT-VMN95ML vs AT-VMN95SH

[Peder]

Hi 🙂...

Which of Audio Technica's...
• AT-VMN95ML = Microline
• AT-VMN95SH = Shibata
Do you prefer for the Linn K9.?

These two needles work as replacement needles for the Linn K5, Linn K9 and Linn K18 pickups.
The turntable is a Linn Axis with a Linn Basic Plus tonearm.

[TMV]

I don't know but when tested at this forum I think the AT-VMN95E was the winner (AT pickup, not needle on Kx).
My Linn dealer likes E, EN and ML(best).....

[Charlie1]

My ranking:

1. K9
2. VM95E
3. VM95C
4. VM95EN
5. VM95ML

Adikt also above the 95E but never compared K9 vs Adikt on the same deck.

VM95 range are more open sounding that the K9, especially EN and ML. And the ML sounds a bit thin compared to the others.

The C is not for everyone but can be really good.

Are you sure the VM95 range will work on a K18 body? - I thought they didn't (without modification)

[Spannko]

What styli have you tried on the K9 charlie1?

[Charlie1]

Just the above plus the old 95E which looked a bit ugly on a K9 body :)

The safest bets to my mind (other than Adikt) are the E and EN, but they all have negatives:

K9 = Age and wear. Doesn't sound as open or neutral as modern designs. Good with IGD. Very musical
VM95C = Poor with IGD and probably paints with too broad a brush stroke for many - i.e., not much detail. Great timing
VM95E = A bit thin sounding. Very average with IGD. Engaging
VM95EN = Trade better sound for the E's musical engagement. Good with IGD
VM95ML = Not really musically engaging enough for me other than as background music. Thin sound. Superb with IGD

Adikt = Very musical. Very good midrange. Good with IGD. Top end not that refined for the price

The sonic comments will all depend on the deck and rest of the system though. For example, an old Valhalla/Ittok deck will expose any IGD weakness, whereas a modern LP12 will minimise it. So, there is someone on this forum who loves the VM95C on his Cirkus/Lingo/Ekos deck played through nicely refined Akurate 212 speakers and good Linn amps.

[Spannko]

Sorry charlie1, I’m feeling as thick as custard today!

Are you describing the sound of the different styli all mounted on a K9 body? And, is the K9 body better than the modern AT body?

[Charlie1]

Mounted on K9 body.

I've also had a deck with VM95 body but wasn't able to make a comparison.

[ThomasOK]

One on the forum preferred the VM95e on the body it comes with over the K9 body. He also preferred the VM95c to the e. I have not done either comparison.

[Peder]

🔷 Something that is also "nice" is an
AT-VMN95ML on a K18 body 😃.

[Charlie1]

So did that go straight on Peder or need modification?

[Tendaberry]

🔷 Something that is also "nice" is an
AT-VMN95ML on a K18 body 😃.

Now you just need to drill a hole for the front screw ;-) I'm also thinking (like Tom mentioned), that new bodies might be superior to the old K9/K18, because they have integrated threads for the screws. This could give a more stable attachment of the cartridge body.

[Charlie1]

OK, tx

Yeah, someone reported that here a few years ago that the VM body was better.

[Peder]

Yeah, someone reported that here a few years ago that the VM body was better.

Hi 🙂...

K9 and K18 body is metal,.not plastic like in VM body.
Just Saying...

[lejonklou]

As you can see in the photo, Peder has cut off the "nose" of the K18. So no screw hole left.

My guess is that a metal body is more important than integrated metal nuts in a plastic body.

I think I have a K9 in the LP12 parts box, I'm tempted to give it a spin against the Adikt. Thank you for that thorough list of the VM styluses, Charlie1, if I read it right it seems that E remains the most musical? Ignoring IGD, detail, top end, etc.

[Charlie1]

Correct, the E sounds most tuneful to me, but still some way off a low wear K9. Note that I’ve had at least two units of each VM95 model, except the EN.

I only use the EN cos IGD with the E and C is too distracting on my Valhalla/Ittok deck. The E was fine on a Lingo/Ekos deck but that wasn't using a K9 body and I've now sold that deck.

I’m still surprised that the E is more musically meaningful than the EN what with it's ‘theoretically’ inferior construction. Although another factor could be related to manufacturing processes - someone stated on another forum that the C and E are made in China and the rest made in Japan but don’t know if that is true.

I don’t know if you saw the thread I started but there are many reports of Amazon selling worn carts as new so I would either buy direct from AT or from a trusted dealer.

[TMV]

My guess is that a metal body is more important than integrated metal nuts in a plastic body.

Could RigB metal body improve performance?
https://audioappraisal.com/ipt-rigb-95- ... artridges/