Audio-Technica AT-VM95SP/H — Mono SP 78 rpm cartridge on AT-HS6 headshell

The AT-VM95SP/H is the 78 rpm member of the VM95 family: the same generator and body as the LP versions, fitted with a 3 mil conical tip and delivered already mounted on the AT-HS6 headshell. It is the part to fit when a collection includes shellac and early 78s, whose wider grooves cannot be tracked by a microgroove stylus.

The generator is a dual moving magnet design with a bonded 3 mil conical stylus and an aluminium tubular cantilever, wired with T.P. copper coils. Audio-Technica rates it 20 Hz-20 kHz, 2.7 mV output, 3.3 kΩ coil impedance, 550 mH inductance, 1.5 dB channel balance and a vertical tracking angle of 23°, with a recommended load of 47 kΩ and 100-200 pF.

The figure that matters here is tracking force: 4.5 to 5.5 g, with 5.0 g as the reference, because a 78 needs a weight that would be excessive on an LP. The 15.5 g headshell assembly suits S-shaped and medium-mass arms, and the stylus is replaced with an AT-VMN95SP without removing the cartridge from the headshell.

Technical specifications:

• Type: VM stereo dual moving magnet, mono-compatible
• Stylus: SP 3 mil conical, bonded
• Stylus construction: Bonded round shank
• Cantilever: Aluminium tube
• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz
• Channel balance: 1.5 dB (1 kHz)
• Output voltage: 2.7 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/s)
• Coil impedance: 3.3 kΩ (1 kHz)
• DC resistance: 485 Ω
• Coil inductance: 550 mH (1 kHz)
• Recommended load: 47 kΩ / 100-200 pF
• Tracking force: 4.5 - 5.5 g (5.0 g standard)
• Vertical tracking angle: 23°
• Static compliance: 12 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne
• Dynamic compliance: 2 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne (100 Hz)
• Mounting: 1/2" centre to centre
• Headshell: AT-HS6 aluminium
• Total weight: 15.5 g
• Dimensions: 21.2 × 21.4 × 62.4 mm (H × W × D)
• Replacement stylus: AT-VMN95SP
• Coil wire: T.P. copper