Audio-Technica AT95E vs Ortofon 2M Blue

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.

That all said, as for the Ortofon Blue, it Is a warm, very musical sounding cartridge. And I believe it is an excellent value for the money. It's engaging and lively sounding

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)

Now I've been using a 2M red card and stylist on my project debut carbon turntable for a couple of years. I thought the red was okay, it did an adequa...

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I dropped the needle and immeadiately the difference was madly noticeable. I don't know how much of an improvement over the 2M red this thing gives, but compared to the AT-95e it is just a singing, beautifully balanced, beautiful monster tracking machine. Indeed the output was considerably louder but what truly astonished me is the space between the instruments and voices and all the detail which I hadn't even picked out on CD versions of the album. My next test record was my Music On Vinyl pressing of Jar Of Flies by Alice In Chains