Weaknesses- Less high frequency sustain (noted in cymbal decay), less focused detail than ML, not as precise of staging as ML. Is this overt crispness an anti-skate issue? I have my anti-skate set to match VTF as per AT's rec. The EMI regulationss is one point that most modern amps / receivers have such high capacity in the phono section. I measured each stylus in turn using the same body. I first wanted to identify the cause of the slightly higher output voltage of the conical and elliptical verses the other three profiles. AT quote a difference of 0.5MV. My tests showed The VM95C and VM95E output around 3.8MV, while the other still in the range were indeed on or slightly lower than the 3.5MV mark. It is my theory that the small variances in compliance and tip mass are responsible for this, and in reality such a minor difference isn’t going to be of any consequence as the difference is minor, and the output voltage is well within the margin for most if not all moving magnet preamplifiers. AT themselves never marketed any upgraded styli for the AT95 leaving other companies to take on the task including LP Gear, Jico and The Audio Files, who’s 95P Paratrace is considered by many the best of the bunch. The VM95 Range

AVForums AT-VM95L/H v Ortofon 2M Blue | AVForums

How many people will notice that the capacity of the modern amps / receivers phonosstage is too high? 1%? 5%?

The VM95 Range

I prefer a balanced sound with nice low (tight and deep) and realistic/clean detail at the top. (lol... so I want everything in one hehehhe). Planning to get an ML stylus at some point as its a bit cheaper and it might be nice for extracting a bit more drive out of records that are somewhat constricted in dynamic range and sound compressed by default. From what I've seen from people's comparisons between the ML and the SH its pretty much down to personal preference and system sound.

Audio Appraisal Audio-Technica AT-VM95 Detailed Review - Audio Appraisal

After reading some post I learned that this was due to capacity and I bought an Art Dj Pre II for 55€ - and the brightness was gone instantly.The albums- PJ Harvey- Dry, George Benson- the Shape of Things to Come, Sonic Youth- Dirty, Nina Simone- Sings the Blues.

Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML VM95 Series Microlinear replacement Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML VM95 Series Microlinear replacement

Weaknesses- Transparent to the point of seeming thin, dry character, some higher frequencies are brilliant to the point of glaring, analytically sterile presence.I have read and practiced over the years that you do want to turn on that last bit, which is above the -6db threshold (6 x the bit rate is the dynamic range). One engineer I read said that there is no reason to go above -5db, but I think that leaving 3db of loudness disregarded as not a good practice and it lowers the rest of the music as well. I generally do not go over -2db in my own work, but overs in digital are bad, so I avoid them at all costs. I noticed in these two files I had clearance at the top of the wave forms by going to -1db. Characteristics shared between all styli are a warm, full-bodied sound that is also quite punchy. There’s a lot of drive here, though the VM95 is not voiced such that standout bumps in frequency make it an unpleasant listen. Rather it has a bit of ‘oomf’ to use a technical term that makes it, if anything, great fun above all else. It sounds much like the predecessor, though with more evenhandedness and control than the AT95, which tends to sound dry and a bit dull in comparison. VM95C I would love to hear some of these multi thousand pound TT set ups to hear what a really top notch set up sounds like. I really have to crank up my volume on that LP to get any sort of decent headroom, maybe the ML will open things up for stuff like that. Might upgrade to VM750SH one day but considering how cost effective the stylus replacements are for the VM95 series I'd say that's unlikely!

AT-VM95ML Vs. Ortofon 2M Blue File Identities Audio Technica AT-VM95ML Vs. Ortofon 2M Blue File Identities

Is this brightness (I wouldn't call it shrill but it's VERY crisp) due to my other equipment (detailed below)?

Initial Impressions

Likely you have a loading problem with the VM95ML. What is the phono preamp capacitance spec on the Yamaha? My displays are helpful when I look at other's recorded music and I see the wave form "fill" my screen and often look like a flat top hair cut near or at 0db, compressed and limited probably to -0.5db. right to the edge. This happens way too often in pop music.