AT VM95 Microline Cartridge： A GEM at $169!

ByChris

United States of Analog | January 10, 2024

🎙️ Early Video Analysis

What is this video about?

This video is about the Audio-Technica VM95ML (Microline) cartridge, which the host positions as an excellent solution for budget, used, or vintage turntables that need a cartridge. The host is reviewing this $169 cartridge and demonstrating it on a vintage 1976 Thorens TD-166 Mark II turntable that he recently restored.

What gear, products, or brands are discussed?

  • Audio-Technica VM95ML cartridge – Price: $169, described as a “gem” and “little cartridge you should know about”
  • Thorens TD-166 Mark II turntable – Released 1976, produced in Switzerland until ~1987, originally cost 400 Deutschmarks (~$250), equivalent to ~$1,200-1,300 today
  • TP-63 wand – Replacement part for the Thorens, cost the host $150 on eBay after 2 years of searching

What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?

  • The VM95ML is a cartridge that viewers “should know about” and he’s excited to share this discovery
  • He expresses strong attachment to vintage gear, describing himself as a “steward” and “parent” of equipment he’s owned for decades
  • The restored Thorens is “more than playable” and “very playable”
  • He appreciates the global community aspect of his channel and enjoys hearing from viewers worldwide

Were there any strong recommendations or warnings to viewers?

  • Strong recommendation for the VM95ML cartridge as a solution for turntables needing cartridges
  • Encouragement for viewers to share their locations in comments to build community

Any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?

  • [00:02:39] Host admits he invented the term “plinth plate” on the spot: “I don’t even know if that’s a term, plinth plate, but I just invented it”
  • [00:04:24] Shows dedication to vintage gear: “when you own a piece of gear for so long, for decades, you feel like you’re the steward of that. You feel like you’re the parent of that piece of equipment”

Summary

The video opens with host Bob introducing the Audio-Technica VM95ML cartridge as an ideal solution for budget or vintage turntables lacking cartridges. He positions this as a discovery worth sharing with his global audiophile community, encouraging viewers to engage by sharing their locations. The host’s enthusiasm for both the cartridge and community building is evident as he displays a Google Earth map showing where his viewers are located worldwide.

Bob then shifts focus to his vintage 1976 Thorens TD-166 Mark II turntable, which serves as the test platform for the cartridge. He provides detailed background on this Swiss-made turntable, explaining its original pricing and modern equivalent value. The turntable features unique characteristics including a distinctive suspension system where the platter and tonearm move together, beautiful red oak veneer construction, and metal accents that set it apart from modern designs.

The restoration story of the Thorens reveals Bob’s deep commitment to vintage audio equipment. After the turntable sat unused for five years due to a missing TP-63 wand (a critical tonearm component), he spent two years searching eBay and $150 to acquire the necessary part. His description of feeling like a “steward” and “parent” to long-owned equipment illustrates the emotional connection many audiophiles develop with their gear, justifying the investment in restoration over replacement.

⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis

Gear, products, or brands discussed

  • [00:06:15] Thorens TD-166 Mark 2 turntable (Swiss-made)
  • [00:07:09] Technics 1200 Mark 7 turntable
  • [00:07:18] Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge
  • [00:08:07] Audio Technica VM-95ML cartridge (main focus)
  • [00:08:58] Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge
  • [00:09:11] Sumiko Moonstone cartridge

Host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions

  • [00:05:03] The Thorens headshell installation is “really, really super funky” and difficult
  • [00:05:14] Criticizes Swiss engineers for making cartridge installation unnecessarily hard
  • [00:08:38] Believes microline cartridges “produce less noise from the groove” compared to other stylus types
  • [00:08:45] Considers the VM-95ML a good value at $169
  • [00:09:21] Emphasizes that cartridge output is “very important” when choosing cartridges

Listening tests or sound quality observations described

  • [00:08:53] Conducted comparison testing between the VM-95ML and his other “daily favorite cartridges”
  • [00:07:18] Reports that the Ortofon 2M Blue “sounds fantastic” on his Technics 1200 Mark 7
  • [00:08:38] Notes his perception that microline styluses produce less groove noise

Price/value assessments

  • [00:06:01] Found replacement Thorens tonearm on eBay for $150 in almost new condition
  • [00:08:45] VM-95ML retails for about $169 and available on Amazon

Comparisons to other gear mentioned

  • [00:09:42] Output comparison: VM-95ML at 3.5 millivolts vs Ortofon 2M Blue at 5.5 millivolts vs Sumiko Moonstone at 3.0 millivolts
  • [00:08:58] Compared VM-95ML against Nagaoka MP-110 and Ortofon 2M Blue as part of evaluation

Audiophile tips, advice, or how-to content

  • [00:05:26] Warns that Thorens cartridge installation requires “exactly the right screws” and “a lot of patience”
  • [00:09:22] Advises considering cartridge output levels when phono preamp lacks adjustable gain
  • [00:08:30] Explains that microline refers to stylus shape and mentions nude square shank construction

Memorable quotes or strong takes

  • [00:05:14] “those nutty engineers over there really, they really cocked this up a little bit” (about Swiss Thorens design)
  • [00:07:53] “if you’re not willing to participate in that kind of craziness, like many of us are, then maybe streaming is for you, and maybe streaming is for me”
  • [00:06:26] “I am by no means, by no means a cartridge or turntable expert. I know what I like, and when it sounds good, I can recognize that”

Summary

The host discusses his experience with the Thorens TD-166 Mark 2 turntable, expressing frustration with its difficult cartridge installation process, which he attributes to poor Swiss engineering design. After needing to replace the tonearm due to wire breakage from frequent cartridge swaps, he found a replacement on eBay for $150. He emphasizes his practical rather than technical approach to audio equipment, sharing an anecdote about successfully using an Ortofon 2M Blue on a Technics 1200 Mark 7 despite technical objections from a viewer about compliance matching.

The focus then shifts to his chosen cartridge for the Thorens: the Audio Technica VM-95ML, priced at $169. He explains that the “ML” designation refers to the microline stylus shape, which he believes produces less groove noise compared to other stylus types. The cartridge features a nude square shank construction, which he speculates may provide additional rigidity, though he admits this is beyond his technical expertise.

For his evaluation, the host conducted comparison testing between the VM-95ML and his regular rotation of cartridges including the Nagaoka MP-110, Ortofon 2M Blue, and Sumiko Moonstone. He emphasizes the importance of cartridge output levels, noting that the VM-95ML outputs 3.5 millivolts compared to the higher 5.5 millivolts of the 2M Blue and the lower 3.0 millivolts of the Moonstone. This consideration becomes crucial when using phono preamps without adjustable gain settings.

🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict

What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion?

  • [00:09:51] Audio-Technica VM-95ML cartridge ($169)
  • [00:11:13] Audio-Technica VM-95 Blue cartridge (mentioned for comparison)
  • [00:11:18] Nagaoka cartridge (mentioned for comparison)
  • [00:12:38] Shibata stylus (referenced as upgrade option)
  • [00:13:36] Moonstone cartridge (mentioned for size comparison)
  • [00:13:42] Sumiko cartridge (mentioned for size comparison)
  • [00:13:42] Ortofon cartridge (mentioned for size comparison)
  • [00:10:29] Thorens turntable (installation context)
  • [00:12:05] Dire Straits “Six Blade Knife” track (used as sibilance test example)

What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion?

  • [00:13:33] The VM-95ML is “a real value” at $169
  • [00:13:01] Considers the low surface noise the cartridge’s best quality
  • [00:13:47] Confirms it’s “working great on this vintage table”

Were there any final recommendations — buy, skip, or consider?

  • [00:13:22] Clear recommendation: “I just wanted to bring you this recommendation. The VM-95ML”
  • [00:12:30] For those bothered by sibilance: “get yourself a Microline, or better yet, a Shibata”

Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers?

  • [00:10:01] Tracking force recommendation: tracks at 1.8-2.2 grams, host prefers 1.8 (“I like it as light as possible”)
  • [00:11:51] Educational note about sibilance for newcomers, with specific example of Dire Straits track
  • [00:12:45] Notes that VM-95ML is “almost at the top of the line” with Shibata version available as upgrade

How did the video wrap up?

  • [00:13:48] Standard YouTube outro asking viewers to “like, subscribe, hit that notification bell”
  • [00:14:00] Channel tagline: “We’re in it to win it here at U.S. of A”
  • [00:14:08] Humorous aside about Switzerland and eating a Toblerone bar

Any memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions?

  • [00:11:51] “Sibilance drives me crazy”
  • [00:13:17] “Surface noise is no bueno”
  • [00:13:48] “From your vintage host, thank you for being in the United States of Analog”

Summary

In this final portion, the host provides detailed technical specifications for the Audio-Technica VM-95ML, highlighting its aluminum cantilever, 1.8-2.2 gram tracking force range, and 6.1 gram total weight. He shares practical installation tips, noting the top-mounting design works well with modern headshells, though he had to adapt it for his Thorens turntable by mounting from underneath.

The host’s listening impressions emphasize the cartridge’s strengths: crisp and detailed highs, smooth bass, excellent tracking, and minimal sibilance. He particularly values the low surface noise, calling it the cartridge’s best quality and explaining how both sibilance and surface noise are major distractions in vinyl playback. He uses Dire Straits’ “Six Blade Knife” as a reference track for testing sibilance issues.

The video concludes with a strong recommendation for the VM-95ML as “a real value” at $169, positioning it favorably against competitors like Nagaoka, Moonstone, Sumiko, and Ortofon cartridges. He notes its slightly smaller form factor and mentions the availability of a Shibata stylus upgrade within the VM-95 series. The host wraps up with standard YouTube engagement requests and a playful comment about Switzerland, maintaining his personable presentation style throughout.

Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.

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