Audio-Technica AT95E vs Sumiko Pearl

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.

If you’re ordering everything from the same place, contact them and ask if they can fit a different cartridge for you. If you want to stick with Rega then the Bias 2, otherwise perhaps the AT VM95EN or AT VM95ML, the Sumiko Pearl or Rainier, or something similarly priced from the Grado lineup. Avoid the Ortofon Red and Blue, they’re not good value. Otherwise get a Nagaoka MP110 or MP150 from another supplier

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 biggest improvement is in the stereo separation. There is now a tremendous depth in the soundstage that used to be very flat. Another review somewhere said it was great for classic rock. At first that struck me as a left-handed compliment, but now I see how that makes perfect sense

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

This cart vividly captures all the frequencies that the human ear is capable of hearing. I got it here for less than $100, with free S&H. Mount it on a good turntable (mine is a Pro-Ject Expressions III with a carbon fibre tonearm), and you will be very pleasantly surprised! It makes CDs sound flat, and a bunch of "midrange noise", by comparison. Some people prefer cartridges made by other manufacturers, such as Ortofon or Grado, but this is a gem that is often overlooked, and doesn't garner the attention that it deserves

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The Sumiko Pearl stereo cartridge is a marvel of clarity and smoothness of sound. Great stereo stage, and very quiet. It makes even some of my battered (but still favorite) LPs sound good again. Good instructions and easy to install