Audio-Technica AT-VMN95EN — Nude elliptical replacement stylus for the VM95 series

The AT-VMN95EN is the nude-diamond elliptical stylus of the VM95 series. The difference from a conventional elliptical lies in the mounting: the diamond is fixed straight onto the shank, without the metal carrier that surrounds a bonded stylus. Removing mass from the moving tip lets the stylus follow the groove undulations with less inertia and respond faster to transients.

The profile is the same 0.3 × 0.7 mil elliptical, with a nude round shank and an aluminium tubular cantilever, so it fits any of the six VM95 bodies without tools. On listening the change is heard mostly at the top: cymbals and strings sound more open, and voices and instruments separate more clearly without turning clinical.

It is the natural intermediate step for someone who already owns a VM95E and wants to move up without changing cartridge, and also a fine replacement for modest systems, where a nude stylus adds more than a new phono stage. Audio-Technica rates its life at around 300 hours.

Technical specifications:

• Type: elliptical replacement stylus for VM95 series cartridges
• Profile: 0.3 × 0.7 mil elliptical, nude diamond
• Shank: nude round
• Cantilever: aluminium tube
• Compatibility: AT-VM95C, AT-VM95E, AT-VM95EN, AT-VM95ML, AT-VM95SH and AT-VM95SP
• Estimated life: around 300 hours
• Mounting: direct swap on the VM95 body, no tools required
• Reference tracking force: 1.8 – 2.2 g