Audio Technica AT-VMN95SH Stylus
This diamond stylus is designed for the Audio Technica AT-VM95SH Moving Magnet Cartridge. A diamond stylus should perform at its best for around 1,000 hours which, if you play records for 1 hour a day, works out to almost 3 years. After 1,000 hours the diamond stylus will start wearing down and sound quality will start to drop off. This is the time to replace your stylus.
Fortunately, the design of the Audio Technica AT-VM95 Cartridge Series means it's easy to simply remove the stylus assembly including the plastic surround and fit a new stylus. Another great feature of the AT-VM95 Series is that you can upgrade or change the level of performance simply by changing to a different grade of stylus. You can choose from Conical, Elliptical, Nude Elliptical, Microlinear or Shibata, depending on how much you are willing to spend and whether your turntable is good enough to show the difference a better stylus can make. If you are in doubt, you can always talk to one of our turntable specialists for expert advice.
Stylus Options
Here is some information on the different stylus types, which shank style is best and also whether you should go for bonded or nude. So many choices.
Conical Stylus: The conical stylus is the simplest and most widely used stylus. Its spherical tip normally touches the centre of the record groove walls. A conical stylus works best for low to moderately priced turntables and audio setups. It is also ideal for mono (vinyl with one channel) and older 78 RPM records. However, its shape prevents it from making detailed contact with much of the record groove walls, resulting in less fidelity.
Elliptical Stylus: The elliptical stylus has two radii, the front radius being wider than the side radius. The front radius rides in the centre of the groove like the conical, while the smaller side radius makes more contact with the groove walls. More contact with the record groove walls delivers a higher level of fidelity.
Microlinear Stylus: The Microlinear stylus almost exactly duplicates the shape of the cutting stylus that produces the original master disc (the disc used to create the pressed vinyl record). This likeness enables the Microlinear stylus to track portions of the groove other styli cannot reach, resulting in extremely accurate tracing of high-frequency passages and a flat frequency response within the audible range. The unique multilevel shape also wears more evenly, greatly extending record and stylus life.
Shibata Stylus: The Shibata stylus was originally developed to play four-channel (quadraphonic) vinyl records. The Shibata stylus has two radii, similar to an elliptical stylus. However, the radii of a Shibata stylus allow for more surface contact and effective pickup of ultra-high frequencies with less groove stress and distortion.
Round or Square Shank? The stylus shank is the piece that connects the tip to the cantilever. A round shank can be more difficult to align when it is affixed to the cantilever. Proper alignment is needed in order to position the stylus tip precisely in the record groove.
Square shank styli cost more to make than round shank styli, but mounting them in laser-cut square holes in the cantilever locks them in precise alignment with the record groove.
Bonded or Nude? In a bonded (or jointed) stylus, a diamond tip is glued on a metal shank that is itself glued into the hole of the cantilever. While less expensive to manufacture, this construction may increase the mass of the overall tip and affect transient response compared with a nude stylus where the tip and shank are constructed from a single piece of diamond.
Nude styli, shaped from whole diamonds, are more costly than bonded styli. Their lower mass allows nude styli to track more accurately. Also, since Audio Technica's nude styli are grain-oriented, with their longest-wearing faces touching the record surface, they last longer.
The Audio Technica AT-VM95 Cartridge Series
Here is a list of the Audio Technica AT-VM95 Cartridges and the stylus types they come with as standard. Remember, all VM95 models have removable styli and the same body design, enabling vinyl enthusiasts to interchange and upgrade any VM95 cartridge with any VMN95 stylus type.
AT-VM95C Moving Magnet Cartridge - AT-VMN95C Conical Bonded Round Shank Diamond Stylus
AT-VM95E Moving Magnet Cartridge - AT-VMN95E Elliptical Bonded Round Shank Diamond Stylus
AT-VM95EN Moving Magnet Cartridge - AT-VMN95EN Elliptical Nude Round Shank Diamond Stylus
AT-VM95ML Moving Magnet Cartridge - AT-VMN95ML Microlinear Nude Square Shank Diamond Stylus
AT-VM95SH Moving Magnet Cartridge - AT-VMN95SH Shibata Nude Square Shank Diamond Stylus
Placing Your Order
If you have an Audio Technica AT-VM95SH Moving Magnet Cartridge you are welcome to choose any of the VMN95 options as you next stylus. Just place you order online and we will send your selection anywhere in Australia freight free. Alternatively, you are welcome to phone us on 03 9874 8233, email us at shop@audiotrends.com.au or drop by our spacious showrooms in Ringwood, Victoria to discuss your options with one of our turntable specialists and pick one up in person.
One Final Note: It might be wise to pick up a spare stylus just in case something happens to your current stylus not related to stylus wear. Believe us, accidents do happen.