Audio Technica AT-VM95SH
Moving magnet cartridge fitted with a full Shibata diamond, designed for turntables connected to a standard MM phono input.
Description
The AT-VM95SH is a moving magnet cartridge designed to fit a turntable equipped with a standard headshell tonearm. It connects to a conventional MM phono input and stands out within the range for the profile of its stylus tip, a full Shibata diamond, a shape that first appeared with quadraphonic playback and has since been retained for its ability to extract the micro-information cut into the groove.
The Shibata profile offers an elongated contact surface with the groove walls: it follows the finest modulations and allows the cartridge to reach 25 kHz at the top of the spectrum, for a frequency response of 20 Hz to 25 kHz. The output voltage of 3.5 mV places it comfortably within the MM standard, without requiring any particular preamplification. Channel separation reaches 23 dB at 1 kHz and channel balance remains within 1.5 dB, ensuring a coherent stereo image. In terms of settings, tracking force ranges between 1.8 and 2.2 grams, with a recommended value of 2 grams, and the vertical tracking angle is 23°.
- Recommended load impedance: 47 kOhms
- Recommended load capacitance: 100 to 200 pF
- Coil impedance: 3.3 kOhms at 1 kHz, inductance 550 mH
- Dynamic compliance: 10 x 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne at 100 Hz
- Weight: 15.5 grams
This model is aimed at the listener who wants to extract greater definition from their record collection without leaving the world of moving magnet cartridges. Its dynamic compliance of 10 x 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne and weight of 15.5 grams suit it to tonearms of medium effective mass, which make up the majority of current turntables. It does, however, call for careful setup: a stylus profile this sharp only performs at its best with azimuth, vertical angle and tracking force set with precision.
Technical specifications
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 25 kHz |
| Channel separation | 23 dB (1 kHz) |
| Channel balance | 1.5 dB (1 kHz) |
| Output voltage | 3.5 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec) |
| Vertical tracking angle | 23° |
| Tracking force | 1.8 - 2.2 grams |
| Recommended tracking force | 2 grams |
| Static compliance | 20 x 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne |
| Dynamic compliance | 10 x 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne (100 Hz) |
| Coil impedance | 3.3 kOhms (1 kHz) |
| Recommended load impedance | 47 kOhms |
| Recommended load capacitance | 100 to 200 pF |
| Coil inductance | 550 mH (1 kHz) |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 21.4 x 21.2 x 62.4 mm |
| Weight | 15.5 grams |
What to check before buying used
The Shibata tip here is a bare diamond mounted on a cantilever: examine it with a loupe, as a chipped edge or a slightly bent cantilever renders the cartridge unusable, and the stylus alone accounts for most of its value. Ask for an estimate of the number of playback hours, as a profile this sharp wears faster than a conical tip. Finally, check the condition of the four connection pins and the plastic body around the mounting holes, which is often weakened by over-tightening in the headshell.
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