andycc72
Prominent Member
I couldn’t resist it for £75.Hehe, why didn't anyone come up with that obvious answer? - get both!
I couldn’t resist it for £75.Hehe, why didn't anyone come up with that obvious answer? - get both!
I'm loving the Blue so far compared to the Red, but there's no doubt it does have a digital sound like gingersnaps alluded to. I do love the digital sound but from the TT I would like something different, hopefully the AM will provide that. Despite that I'm currently the happiest I have been with the sound coming from the TT so all is wellI'll be interested to hear what you think of the two cartridges. I think you will find the AT more to your liking.
On the Nagoaka MP200 that was mentioned: it may be 'just' an elliptical stylus but they sound sweet. Plus, elliptical means they are a littlle more tolerant with setup. Generally, the finer the type of stylus, the harder they are to setup correctly.
Excellent!I had planned to leave the 2M Blue on for a couple of weeks before setting up the VM95ML but being the impatient fecker that I am I installed the VM95ML yesterday morning.
Now this is how I imagined vinyl would sound when I decided to get back into it. I say imagined because I have no point of reference, I only know one person with a decent system and he doesn’t have a turntable and back when I had records they were played on a Technics mini system.
The details is superb but there’s now more depth to the sound, the instrument separation is better as is the sound stage. Over the moon with the VM95ML, I think it’s achieved the sound I wanted, the warm side of neutral.
I still think the 2M Blue is a decent cart and I’ll be keeping it as a spare but the 2M Red stylus will not be seeing the light of day on my TT again. Not that it’s utterly terrible but it’s just been trounced by both the 2M Blue and the VM95ML.
so glad I bought the version with the headshell as set-up was easy. It came at 52mm so need to even loosen a screw.
That's a good idea, my only concern is that it requires effort, re-aligning, etc (which I might add is nowhere near as scary as I thought once you have done it a few times)Just one thought on the 2M Red... use it for first play of any second hand records you might buy? I use my old OM10 stylus for that, and it's saved me from a few heart-stopping clicks and thumps that I'd have hated to play with a more expensive stylus.
Nah, as long as the two carts are aligned the same in their headshells, all you need to do is swap them over and change the tracking force. (And swapping 2M stylus is the same - they're both aligned the same with respect to the cart).That's a good idea, my only concern is that it requires effort, re-aligning, etc (which I might add is nowhere near as scary as I thought once you have done it a few times)
The IGD on the Red is really bad, better on the Blue, pretty much gone on the VM95ML.Great result. Enjoy!
I have to admit I’ve never been a fan of the Red after receiving one with my 1210mk2 when I got back into vinyl about 8 years or so ago. I found it generally underwhelming and it suffered from terrible IGD no matter what I did with set-up. I simply cannot fathom why they don’t supply the 1500C with a better cartridge.
Me too. Not going to happen though. Ortofon sell a shed load of carts by making sure theirs is the default.Agreed, I'd have been happy to pay slightly more to have a decent cart installed, or slightly less to go off and buy one of my own choosing
Just thought I’d add I have the Technics SL-1500C and also was not impressed with the 2M Red, I swapped in a Blue for just a few minutes (had to be returned) and while it was better, still not quite what I get from the AT VM95ML. I’ve been very happy with AT VM95ML, it is quieter, smoother, to me more accurate while retaining all the detail. On this table the bass response is great, tight, and accurate. Love the way the midrange sounds and the imaging is amazing as well.
When I bought the SL-1500C the sales guys were pushing the 2M and recommended the black. I asked about the AT 95ML, 540, etc and they said they wouldn’t recommend it, that the 2M was much better suited to the Technics. Any idea why they would say this? I have never heard the 2M black, but I already had the 95ML at home mounted on a head shell. I’m really pleased with the performance, it’s a better needle (Nude Straight line vs elliptical) and costs quite a bit less than the 2M Blue! To me the 95ML sounds a lot better and is a great value!
Lastly, when I do want to upgrade from the AT VM95ML, what should I look at?
I’m using the iFi Zen Phono with a balanced connection to a fully differential Emotiva XSP-1 gen 2, then to an ATI Signature 4002 balanced dual mono amp. Current speakers are older Polk Audio RTI-150 that keep surprising me by sounding better then speakers I compare them to.
Haven't got one yet, but when my current cart runs out of puff, the Goldring 1042's getting a run. A legend by all accounts.Lastly, when I do want to upgrade from the AT VM95ML, what should I look at?
But for a few quid more there is the Goldring Eroica, as good as the 1042 is the Eroica takes music to another level.Haven't got one yet, but when my current cart runs out of puff, the Goldring 1042's getting a run. A legend by all accounts.
I wasn't really aware of it to be honest. Looks interesting, but it's also a fair amount more. I'm also slightly wary of high output MC, as I've never had one.But for a few quid more there is the Goldring Eroica, as good as the 1042 is the Eroica takes music to another level.
This also depends how much you like the AT sound, because the Goldrings sound signature is so different especially the Eroica.
I have the Nag-mp110, grado prestige Red3, 2M red and At95E already fitted to head shells, I change them over depending on my listening pleasure….it’s just a small weight/balance/skate tweak once fitted…….Thanks, sounds like that would be right up my street but I had enough stress setting up the absurdly easy (once I worked out how ) 2M Red - anything fiddly with screws will drive me mad.
This VM95L ‘H’ comes with the headshell which I presume I can just attach on to the end of the arm?
Audio Technica AT-VM95ML/H Moving Magnet Cartridge w/ Headshell at AV.com
Audio Technica AT-VM95ML/H Moving Magnet Cartridge w/ Headshell at AV.comwww.audiovisualonline.co.uk
I think the ‘H’ is just the VM95L with the headshell added; is that right?
Haven't got one yet, but when my current cart runs out of puff, the Goldring 1042's getting a run. A legend by all accounts.