Audio Technica At95e Phonograph Cartridge 1/2 Mount

Product Information

Note that the above assumes a phono-cable capacitance of 125pF for the Technics SL1200 Mk5. This value may be higher (likely) or lower for other turntables. Typically, a value in the range 150-200pF is assumed. Comparison

Those issues aside, the Grado Prestige Gold 1 produces a rich, warm sound many find addicting particularly in systems that are overly bright or etched, which is often the case with budget electronics. But I now understand that the AT-LP120 is a very good foundation for a awesome HiFi turntable. If you are willing to spend a bit of time and money on modifying and upgrading it.The Audio Technica AT95E isn’t a beauty. If you are after it, be ready to classify it as a classic built mainly to perform and not sit pretty. I was pleased, however, that holding it didn’t give an air of fragility. I have also compared the Ortofon 2M Red and the AT95E against the Ortofon 2M Blue and the VM540ML. You’ll find links to those articles towards the end. Finally, the bass was tested. Since I’d experienced two different qualities, I told myself to place my expectations in the middle. Hence, I expected no punch from the bass but I expected its presence at the very least.

In the end there wasn't that much of a sonic difference with the only real difference noted was a somewhat 'warmer' sound from the M97xE, probably due to the increased output in the 30 to 60 Hz range combined with the slight upper treble roll off. All these things combined would probably give the M97xE a 'smoother' and a 'non fatiguing' sound for which it is 'renowned'. It the end, I guess it all comes down the listener preferences and equipment synergy. Regards, Felix aka catman. Watching' the stylus in the groove, and even with the Shure's dynamic stabiliser not in use, the M97xE 'looked' more settled and stable, whereas the AT95E looked a little 'wobbly and shaky' (not very scientific, I know). We are delighted that the Audio-Technica AT150ANV came out THE WINNER. We discovered its exceptional abilities but couldn't be sure given our limited context. Its like going to compete in the Olympics. We knew we had a world class contender - we just didn't know its comparative position. Now everyone knows. Some manufacturers have traditionally defined a stylus as being "worn out" when it starts to damage the record... in these terms the figures provided by Jico can at least be doubled, and in some cases quadrupled."As for the relatively poor showing for the Ortofon Anna, Continuum Caliburn, Ypsilon VPS-100/MC-16 combo, read on!

After my first view of the Audio Technica AT95E, I had more hope than ever than it could actually be a good buy. From the first view, it gives no reason for one to think otherwise.The thing that sold me on this experiment was the phono stage! The Graham Slee is no joke. The bass response had just the right amount of "tube" without the sloppiness that real tubed phono stages can have. Dynamics are far superior and better nuanced. You can follow all of the instruments with far greater ease yet there’s no sense of unnatural “hyper-detail”. So, my plan right now is to spend the time and money needed to get the most performance out of my AT-LP120.

Still, the famous “Grado bounce” was somewhat in evidence and those of you who own or have owned Grados know what that is. Still I wouldn’t worry about it in the proper mass arm. More problematic is the Grado’s susceptibility to motor-induced hum, particularly on Rega ‘tables or others with motors mounted directly under the platters.The AT-LP120 just get an enormous amount of love in the turntable community. And there must be a reason for that. The Audio Technica AT95E has a dynamic compliance of around 11.5 CU (at 10Hz). This leaves it at the lower side of medium mass when its compliance is considered. Due to this, you should be better off pairing it with medium mass arms or high mass arms. I am curious if your collegues at Stereophile (people who do this for a living) were able to easily identify your rig. Clearly I have no business being an audio reviewer. I found the process of listening and comparing fairly exhausting. It was fun to do as an experiment, but I wouldn't want to do it for a living! The sonic differences between the AT95E and SA are nothing short of enormous. The SA’s high frequency performance is vastly improved, with silky, smooth transients, better extension (unless you confuse “crunch” with genuine extension) and “gobs” more resolution.