THIS OR THAT???

OK, I have decided to get a new cartridge because turntableneedles.com can't confirm that what I have is a 95e. This leaves me with more questions so please be patient with me, I have not touched a TT since 1984. I listen to mostly classic rock and some old school metal plus some country if this means anything. After reading many posts I am sold on the AT-VM95 series so all of you had me dialed in.

My question

What's the difference in the types out there? There's conical, elliptical, microlinear, and shibata. Which should I get? Should I get a couple different if they fit the same cartridge and see what I like or is there a jack of all trades in there?
 
saunadog said:
Just to chime in, that cartridge looks to be in the Audio Technica AT10/11/12 family.
Click to expand...

Yes! I said it was a 95e stylus, if it was a 95 body...but after seeing your post and taking more than a quick glance, it is definitely not a 95e.

Sounds like OP is going the route of a new cart anyway. Glad he did not listen to me and pursue a 95e stylus replacement!!!
 
saunadog said:
Just to chime in, that cartridge looks to be in the Audio Technica AT10/11/12 family.
Click to expand...

This is just that. Complete with original genuine Audio-Technica stylus appropriate for the installed cartridge. They're excellent cartridges, Jico has styli available for this classic. That Kenwood is a superb turntable, and very well built. It has an excellent tonearm.
 
Jonstigator said:
OK, I have decided to get a new cartridge because turntableneedles.com can't confirm that what I have is a 95e. This leaves me with more questions so please be patient with me, I have not touched a TT since 1984. I listen to mostly classic rock and some old school metal plus some country if this means anything. After reading many posts I am sold on the AT-VM95 series so all of you had me dialed in.

My question

What's the difference in the types out there? There's conical, elliptical, microlinear, and shibata. Which should I get? Should I get a couple different if they fit the same cartridge and see what I like or is there a jack of all trades in there?
Click to expand...

To put such into simple layman terms, the more exotic Stylus profiles can go "where no Stylus has gone before". This is true that they more properly fit-contact a record's groove walls, extracting more information-music from the grooves, and also as many have said, playing in an area of the groove that had not been subjected to wear-abuse from lesser Stylus profiles.

Thus, thought to be "crap" records, weren't really crap after all, once those grooves meet a highly capable Cartridge-Stylus.

For what you wish to perhaps achieve, the Table, and if hooking to the 2245 let's say. Heck, I think a mighty fine Shure V-15 III would work very nicely. Sadly today, people want you to donate a Kidney to buy one. LOL

Audio Technica still makes many nice MM Cartridges today, your wallet is one limiting factor.

I could take this to the extremes. I could hook a $10K Table, with a $4K Cartridge MC on Board, hook that to a well respected 4 figures Phono Stage, and run all that glorious goodness right into that 2245 in the Aux Input.

You could likely see such sonics shame $4K-$15K CD Players. As they say, "Garbage in-Garbage out".
 
As for Lubricants, sometimes it is good to think outside the box for things like Turntables.

Firstly, consider viscosity needs, and then seek high quality lubricants for those specific lubricant needs.
Like Bike Shops, Gun Shops, and sure, places like wally world, autozone, etc carry a host of goods.

Sewing Machine Oil is merely Mineral Oil. I've used Sewing Machine Oil for years, have it on hand, as I do know a little how to Sew with a Sewing Machine. LOL

It's commonly a very light Oil, not really prone to gumming that quickly. As far as such light lubricants today, I believe there are better to be had. Better that they will lessen wear in many applications, and have other excellent qualities.

I'd say Sewing Machine Oil is not too much different if you compared it to Vegetable Oil, Nothing really special about it for almost any use, there's much better today.

I wouldn't be using Sewing Machine Oil on a fine Firearm, unless that was all I had.

Such as temperature range, less tendency of breakdown, gumming, separating, degrading, a better lube down at the microscopic level.

Full synthetic Motor Oils can work very well, although some might frown upon possible contained Detergents, and other additives.

And as I mentioned, Bikes, and Firearms are some, the countless lubricants made for such grueling conditions can cross over to Audio, and many other things.

I recall even having my VPI Record Cleaning Machine opened up one day, and said "Yeah, I see you little bearing-bushing surfaces on the shafts of that Dayton Platter Motor, you're gonna get a little drink of Mobil 1 5-30W!
 
Last edited:
spark1 said:
Yes! I said it was a 95e stylus, if it was a 95 body...but after seeing your post and taking more than a quick glance, it is definitely not a 95e.

Sounds like OP is going the route of a new cart anyway. Glad he did not listen to me and pursue a 95e stylus replacement!!!
Click to expand...

You have been very helpful. The green was deceiving. Any thoughts on my question below?

KentTeffeteller said:
This is just that. Complete with original genuine Audio-Technica stylus appropriate for the installed cartridge. They're excellent cartridges, Jico has styli available for this classic. That Kenwood is a superb turntable, and very well built. It has an excellent tonearm.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your replies!

There's conical, elliptical, microlinear, and shibata. Which should I get? I don't want to exceed the limitations of the TT but willing to take it as far as I can.
 
Last edited:
markd51 said:
I could take this to the extremes. I could hook a $10K Table, with a $4K Cartridge MC on Board, hook that to a well respected 4 figures Phono Stage, and run all that glorious goodness right into that 2245 in the Aux Input.
Click to expand...

I have what I feel is a very generous budget compared to other systems I have repaired/built. With that said, the wife is looking over my shoulder at all times to see to it I stick within the constraints that were agreed to. I am under budget and on time so far. If she was to see the numbers you are talking about, her head would explode! Mine too!

markd51 said:
And as I mentioned, Bikes, and Firearms are some, the countless lubricants made for such grueling conditions can cross over to Audio, and many other thing
Click to expand...

Funny, I was thinking about Hopes Gun Oil. Very fine and pure.
 
Jonstigator said:
There's conical, elliptical, microlinear, and shibata. Which should I get?
Click to expand...

As markd51 says above, the more exotic profiles (microline, shibata) will get parts of the groove that are untouched by the more "traditional" elliptical and conical styli. So they will tend to give you a more detailed sound. But they might require more attention when you align them.

One might prefer a conical stylus for playing beat up thrift store records. If you have (or are interested in) better condition vinyl you should go higher.

The elliptical or nude elliptical are probably the "jack of all trades" options you want.

I have the ML stylus right now. I was initially displeased by it -- a little lacking in life; kind of "digital" sounding. It improved when I swapped my phono stages. And I can't complain about its tracking. But I'll probably try the nude elliptical at some point to see if I like that better.
 
ondrej said:
As markd51 says above, the more exotic profiles (microline, shibata) will get parts of the groove that are untouched by the more "traditional" elliptical and conical styli. So they will tend to give you a more detailed sound. But they might require more attention when you align them.

One might prefer a conical stylus for playing beat up thrift store records. If you have (or are interested in) better condition vinyl you should go higher.

The elliptical or nude elliptical are probably the "jack of all trades" options you want.

I have the ML stylus right now. I was initially displeased by it -- a little lacking in life; kind of "digital" sounding. It improved when I swapped my phono stages. And I can't complain about its tracking. But I'll probably try the nude elliptical at some point to see if I like that better.
Click to expand...

Yea, I pulled the trigger after reading a document put out by Audio-Technica. I decided to go with the AT-VM95E elliptical that was somewhat middle ground with hopes I will be happy. With that cartridge I can move up or down the styli scale with relative ease till I find what I am looking for. This is also what pretty much everyone here seemed to be leaning towards.

I also bought a 27.3-inch drive belt for the TT and a new cleaning kit. I still have my original discwasher made by Discwasher in really good shape but not sure if I trust it after all these decades.

I will most likely need some help getting the cart installed when it gets here so check back.:bigok:

I can't wait to get back into vinyl!!!:biggrin:
 
Last edited:
I have a very large vinyl collection and some very nice turntables. I have no problem with digital, and use it predominantly.

Pease don't become a vinyl or die crusader.
 
spark1 said:
I have a very large vinyl collection and some very nice turntables. I have no problem with digital, and use it predominantly.

Pease don't become a vinyl or die crusader.
Click to expand...

Never! I have a huge collection of CD's that I love. I will/am be investing in a nice DAC for those. I also stream which will also benefit from a DAC. Perhaps my choice of the word 'darkness' was a bit harsh.

What are your thoughts on the selections I made?
 
Jonstigator said:
Never! I have a huge collection of CD's that I love. I will/am be investing in a nice DAC for those. I also stream which will also benefit from a DAC. Perhaps my choice of the word 'darkness' was a bit harsh.

What are your thoughts on the selections I made?
Click to expand...

I've purchased a number of VM95E ellipticals (I do a lot of TT repair and set-up) and like them. They are an improvement on the classic 95e, which I also like, and was my go-to budget cart before the VM95E.

To a great extent, cartridges are like speakers...there is a wide range of sonic characteristics, and personal preference plays a big role.

I have a VM540ML on one of my own tables, and have been nothing but impressed with it. Tracks well, good balance and good detail. But for your table and point in the journey, I think the elliptical will be just fine.

I do intend to order the nude version the next time I need an inexpensive cart...the internet consensus seems to be that it is a solid improvement over the bonded.
 
Last edited:
When my parts arrive, and I am looking for advice and guidance should I start a new thread in the Kenwood forum or stay the course with this one?
 
I just want to say a standard elliptical stylus is a great place to start. Setup isn't quite so exacting and they usually sound very good to my ears.
 
Just noticed that you ordered a 27" belt...seems long to me. Did you measure before ordering? I use a piece of string around platter and pulley (capstan), less 5-8% for stretch.

Re lubrication...does the platter make any. noise when you spin it by hand? Does it come to a quick stop, or gradually? And with belt off does motor make any noise when running (that is, with capstan spinning)?

Another maintenance question; have you checked the condition of the rubber motor mounts?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom