Customer Reviews

Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML

I bought this cartridge as a direct replacement for the VM95E that came with the AT-LP120XUSB turntable I have. I'm not running the most expensive set up but the improved clarity is noticeable. It seems to track smoother on the record surface as well. Replaced like-for-like on the old headshell no problem. An extra small pair of needle nose pliers makes the rewiring easy. Take a picture of the old one before you take it out if you have any doubts!

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Brings out the details!

Once installed and compared to the 95C, there was a vast difference in music detail, very glad I got this and will keep the 95C as a backup for when I need to reorder another 95ML.

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Clearaudio Concept AT

Installed on a Clearaudio Concept V2MM, nice little upgrade over the bonded elliptical supplied with the cartridge Clearaudio stated was fixed....not so much lol. Still a budget cartridge/stylus setup that doesn't compete with my LOMC and MI carts but doesn't embarrass itself either. It's lack of inner detail retrieval and upper frequency air helps mask the artifacts on lesser quality and used vinyl.

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Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML

Excellent needle and I can't say enough good things about Crutchfield support. They are truly fantastic

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Not worth the price.

The cartridge was not color-coded to match the wiring easily. The directions were confusing, and even the support help I received from Crutchfield had the channels crossed. It didn't sound better than the SC35C that was trying to upgrade. A waste of my time. Bill

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Crutchfield response on 9/30/2024

William contacted our Customer Support team and set up a return. Purchases from Crutchfield can be returned or exchanged within 60 days.

Very detailed sound

This is a great cartridge + stylus. The ML stylus pulls out lots of detail from the record. I find it great for average recordings/pressings, as it elevates the high frequency content. I like it less with high quality recordings and pressings as the instrument and vocal track separation sounds overly exaggerated (I have a demon DL-110, which I like more on high SQ recordings which retains a smooth overall sound). Using on Denon DP-300F, Schiit Mani 2 preamp, and Herbie's way excellent ii mat + soft fat dot on feet.

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Sweet spot

Purchased to replace an aging Shure cartridge on my Rega P3 turntable. Selected this one based on previous positive feedback, after considering other options. It's in a similar price range to the Shure (which is no longer available), allowing for inflation, so not really an upgrade as such. An important consideration for a deck such as the Rega that does not have a detachable head shell is that the AT cartridge has threaded holes for the bolts, which makes attaching it to the tone arm so much easier than ones that use separate nuts. Easy to attach and align, I had it up and running in no time. And how does it sound? After a week of listening to a range of genres (folk, rock, jazz, classical), I'm definitely happy with it. Improvements compared with the Shure are subtle but clearly present, eg different instruments are easier to pick out from an ensemble. To summarize, I think this cartridge hits a sweet spot in terms of sound quality vs price: I think you may need to spend a lot more to get something significantly better.

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Ok Cartridge

Good cartridge just not sure it is worth the price. Hard to get specs sorted out for tracking force and anti-skating but Crutchfield tech support was very helpful on that front.

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Perfect customer service.

I chose this item incorrectly and customer service worked out a perfect solution and swapped out the correct item.

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Best Phono Cartridge vs Price

I love this Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML cartridge! It replaced a 4 year-old mid-level Grado cartridge and the result was my LP source audio system came alive. Every parameter improved. Overall flatter frequency response, more high frequency detail, wider & deeper imaging. All of the above resulting in a wonderful listening experience without fatigue. A plus for this cartridge is the ease of mounting with the molded-in threaded inserts. In conclusion, after many phono cartridges I have used over the past 50 years, I have finally found a cartridge equal in sound to the Shure V15 Type V of long ago . . . and at a great price!

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AT VM95ML

Mounted on a Phillips GA 212 turntable. Excellent sound, very clear with great stage presence, separation and tonal is great! Replaced a circa 1976 Signet TKAE cartridge which still sounded very good but had lots of hours on it. I went with the micro line stylus for fuller sound. I'm extremely happy with my purchase.

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Ultra quiet engineering

This was an equipment upgrade for my Audio-Technica turntable. I really like the sound. The music seems more detailed and the noise is very low.

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Great detail and dynamic.

This cart added clarity and control to my Rega P2. I was having feedback and poor clarity on a few records. They were clean and not very old. I listen to Dire Straits, Al Green, Steely Dan, Supertramp , metal and many more. This is a great sounding cart. My 54 year old ears can tell the difference so can yours.

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Superb Cartridge!

Gosh, I like this cart! I have had it about 2 weeks now and have been giving it a good amount of play. The first thing I noticed was the excellent clarity and detail from this cartridge. It is running on a vintage Pioneer PL-520 automatic direct drive TT. As it has settled into its sound the overall quality has smoothed out some but has not diminished the clarity and detail. The micro-line stylus makes this a very revealing phono cart. I would not call this a forgiving cartridge regarding presentation. It will let you hear the recording and let you know if it is good, bad, or indifferent. As I said, it is revealing, and I am ok with that. The VM95ML sparkles with the highs, is rich in the mids, and if there is a drawback it is in the low end. No, it does not punch and emphasize (or over emphasize) the bottom. The cart it replaced had a very prominent low end "bump" so this perception may be from a lingering comparison. The lows are there but they are in balance. And balance is a good thing. Note that the output of this cartridge is only 3.5mV. This simply means that you will need to bump up your volume a bit to get to the sound level you want in comparison to carts with higher outputs.

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Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML

Nice sounding cartridge

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Perfection (with a warmish preamp.)

Very detailed! Very clean and neutral sound. A little dry and clinical. When paired with a warmer pre-amp (like the Ifi Zen), it is heaven!.....especially at the price. I highly recommend.

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Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML

I was looking for a simple system to upgrade after many years. The turntable was easy to assemble, easy cartridge update, cables made a huge improvement. Very nice, thanks Zac

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Very good for the price

I bought the AT-VM95ML to replace an older Audio- Technica cartridge. My turntable is a Technics SL-1200MK2. The low end is great and the dynamic range seems better. This cartridge produces less record noise and has a very flat response. At first I was expecting a little brighter highs, but after about 20 hours of use I think it's spot on. Again, it produces a very flat response. I'm happy with this purchase and the service from Crutchfield.

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Saltlakecity

This cartridge way out preforms It price, I have had many expensive High end cartridges and this Easily campetes with anything Up to $500 also a microline stylus Is is unheard of in this price range, Expect to pay 3x times as much For a microline on any other cartridge brand, nice smooth sound with good detail Im using a mofi studiodeck turntable

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Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML

Simple installation, sounds good. Y

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Well worth the money!

At 65 my hearing isn't what it once was. That said, I found the AT-VM95ML worthy of the cost. It is very easy to set-up with the nuts built-into the cartridge body. My set-up consists of Sherwood S-8800 receiver, Technics SL-D202 turntable, and Aztec Gauguin III speakers. I listen to everything from country to classical, folk, rock and country. The cartridge works hard and brings out the detail of my records. From the fine details in Dean Martin from the 60's, to pounding rock like AC/DC or Def Leppard.

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Worthy upgrade for any AT-VM95 users

Wow- what can be said....this is such an upgrade in sound from the stock stylus on my AT-LP120XUSB turntable. Audio-Technica made this so easy to swap out, you literally pull the current stylus down and pop the new one on. It took literally 10 seconds to upgrade to a sweet, warm tone from the VM95ML. I can't recommend it enough - just do it!

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Great sounding cartridge!

Excellent purchase. Fast shipping! Cartridge installed easily and sounds great. A++++

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Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML

Great product. Sound is very nice

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Definite upgrade

I'm happy with the purchase. More detail from the music than I was hearing previously.

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Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML

Soft and mellow sound catching all instruments so you hear every detail of your music, will need to turn your amp because sound maybe lower than with your previous cartridge.

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Great Cartridge for playing vinyl records

Cartridge has exceeded expectations. Dug out a 40 year old JVC QL-Y55F turntable & began playing my old vinyls that I haven't played in over 25 years. They sound great, better than ever, with this cartridge. So glad I selected this upgraded AT-VM95ML stylus. Crutchfield's customer service was great confirming this would fit on my turntable. Cartridge fit perfectly on my turntable's headshell and was installed and ready to go in < 10 minutes. Instructions were easy to understand for connecting the 4 wires to the tonearm.

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Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML

This was an upgrade from my old AT95E stylus. Wow! What a difference. The stereo separation leveled up and overall sound experience is raised ~ and it's not even broken in yet!

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A FANTASTIC VALUE!

The AT-VM95ML is an excellent introduction to a microline-cut stylus! As many people have commented, inner groove distortion is almost completely gone with this cartridge/stylus combination. What I mean is that about 95% of it is eliminated with this for all but poorly mastered albums. Separation is quite good with a very good frequency response and tight bass, open midrange, and nice, airy and open high frequencies. This cartridge tracks well but is a little on the low output side. That may be a small problem for some phono amps but just fine for my Cambridge unit. Many people spent a lot more money on cartridges with elliptical styli and don't get this level of performance! For the money, this cart absolutely performs well beyond it's price. IF you have the budget, the AT-VM540ML is even better and is a bargain at it's price point, too. I have the 95ML mounted on my Music Hall 2.3 SE table and it is a fantastic combination. You'll really enjoy this cartridge!

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Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML

This cartridge lives up to all of the positive reviews I have read. It tracks heavily modulated inner grooves without a hitch. No sibilance on vocals. The sound it produces in my system is clear and lifelike without exaggerated top end response. A great sounding cartridge!

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