Audio-Technica AT95E vs Audio-Technica VMN40ML

Could be wrong here, but the cartridge (the thing at the end of the tonearm where the needle goes on) looks like the venerable Audio Technica AT95E-commonly included on turntables that cost upwards of $500. Great sounding cartridge, and it’s the cartridge and stylus that actually determine how good a turntable sounds.

I recently switched to this cartridge as I’d read lots of glowing reviews - and I’m glad I did! It’s astonishing how much more detail I can hear on my records now. It’s completely transformed some of my older secondhand records - they sound new again; even IGD has gone from my rock albums. The sound quality is worth every penny – and it’s rated to more hours than my old elliptical. Fantastic

Sadly, it sounds awful compared to the AT85EP. It's very quiet, sounds tinny, and just doesn't offer the dynamic range that the AT85EP does. I had friends listen to it to ensure that I wasn't crazy, and the results were unanimous. Do yourself a favor and try the AT85EP, and don't forget the AT-PMA1 1/2" mount adapter (not needed if you already have a P-Mount head shell)

The effect it produced was it seemed the "bright" character of the original AT-440mla was tamed a bit, which is a good thing. Having tried many combos, for a very reasonable price, nothing beats the superb Technics SL-1500C DD turntable and AT-440mla cartridge body with VMN40ML stylus duo. All other overpriced belt-drives and elliptical styli with their grating hateful IGD pale in performance comparison, IMHO.

At95e is bright compared to AM30s, and my ears tell me that the AM30s has a wider frequency response. Play the same record with both with my eyes blind, I'll tell you which cart is which. Which one I like? I like them both, but I'd rather listen to classics with the Signet. Rock tends to like the AT

The frequency response and output is phenomenal! My original stylus was damaged from a nasty piece of hair on an old record. Even though I cleaned the hair off the sound reproduction was never the same. I am pretty sure that I added to the damage of the original stylus with my finger. My Bad

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The improvements are: 0 sibilance, less surface noise, very little inner grove distortion (0 distortion elsewhere), punchier extended bass, less harsh treble with more micro-detail. Sound profile is analytical neutral with a touch of brightness, and excellent soundstage/separation. Line contact styli are said to be difficult to set up, but I got good results by just doing a Baerwald alignment without VTA/azimuth tuning. The AT100E + VMN40ML (essentially a VM540ML) is on a Technics S-arm direct drive, with 2