Audio-Technica AT-VM95SH
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
88/100
Features Usability
91/100
Value for Money
85/100
The Audio-Technica AT-VM95SH brings a Shibata stylus’s revealing finesse to an accessible moving-magnet platform, combining punchy bass, low noise and vivid instrumental separation. HiFi Choice highlights its more detailed, assured inner-groove performance, while Analogholic hears expansive depth, expressive mids and airy treble. Easy-fit threaded inserts complete a seriously capable vinyl upgrade.
Pros
Extracts substantially more detail and texture than entry-level VM95 options while preserving an energetic, engaging presentation.
Delivers punchy, well-defined bass, airy treble and convincing soundstage depth.
Tracks inner grooves more cleanly than the VM95E and keeps surface noise notably low.
Solid body, threaded inserts and modest weight make installation straightforward on most tonearms.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
Reviews describe a notably more revealing and refined presentation than the entry-level VM95E, while retaining its energy, bass reach and sense of fun. The AT-VM95SH is praised for vivid vocals, strong low-frequency definition, generous texture and convincing spatial depth.
Overall Sound
94/100
Hi-Fi Choice finds the performance improvement over the VM95E impressive, citing greater detail and texture without a loss of energy or enjoyment. Analogholic similarly hears punchy, propulsive bass, expressive mids and airier, more shimmering treble than lower-priced alternatives.
Tracking Retrieval
94/100
The Shibata stylus is credited with extracting substantially more groove information, including harmonic detail, microdynamics and small instrumental nuances. Hi-Fi Choice reports lower noise and better sound toward the inner grooves than the VM95E, along with assured handling of varied musical tempos.
Soundstage Imaging
92/100
Hi-Fi Choice hears vibrant vocals that remain clearly separated from piano accompaniment. Analogholic reports strong sound-field depth and a convincing three-dimensional presentation, attributing it to the cartridge's preservation of phase information.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
The standard half-inch mount, modest 6.1g body weight and threaded inserts make this an unusually straightforward cartridge to fit. Its moving-magnet output also keeps phono-stage requirements less demanding than those of a low-output moving-coil design.
Tonearm Compatibility
91/100
Analogholic says the roughly 6g cartridge should work well with a majority of tonearms. Hi-Fi Choice likewise calls it extremely easy to install on most tonearms, with the threaded inserts reducing mounting hassle; as a 3.5mV moving magnet, it should suit conventional MM phono inputs.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
88/100
Hi-Fi Choice describes the VM95-series body as solidly built, and its threaded inserts make installation straightforward without fiddly mounting nuts. The supplied excerpts offer little direct evidence on long-term durability, but the construction and practical mounting arrangement are viewed positively.
Value for Money
85/100
The excerpts place the cartridge at about £179 or $199, and Analogholic notes that it is the least expensive Shibata-equipped moving magnet it knows from an established cartridge maker. However, the available reviews do not make an explicit judgment on whether its performance represents especially strong value at that price.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Cartridge & Stylus
- 20-25,000 Hz
- Frequency Response
- 23 (dB at 1 kHz)
- Channel Separation
- 23°
- Vertical Tracking Angle
- 1.8-2.2 g (2.0 g standard)
- Vertical Tracking Force
- Nude square shank
- Stylus Construction
- 47,000 ohms
- Recommended Load Impedance
- 3.3 k ohms (1 kHz)
- Coil Impedance
- 485 ohms
- DC Resistance
- 550 mH (1 kHz)
- Coil Inductance
- 3.5 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.)
- Output Voltage
- 1.5 dB (1 kHz)
- Output Channel Balance
- 2.7 x 0.26 mil Shibata
- Stylus Shape
- Aluminum pipe
- Cantilever
- 20 x 10 – 6 cm / dyne
- Static Compliance
- 10 x 10 – 6 cm / dyne (100 Hz)
- Dynamic Compliance
- Half-inch
- Mounting
- 6.1g
- Cartridge Weight
- 17.2 mm (0.68") H × 18.9 mm (0.74") W × 28.3 mm (1.20") D
- Dimensions
- Two 11 mm installation screws, two 8 mm installation screws, two washers, nonmagnetic screwdriver
- Accessories Included
- AT-VM95SH
- Model
- Half-inch mount
- Mounting Feature
- 100 to 200 pF
- Recommended Load Capacitance
- AT-VMN95SH
- Replacement Stylus
- 2.7 x 0.26mil
- Stylus Size
- VM Stereo Dual Magnet
- Type
- 6.1 g (0.22 oz)
- Weight
- T.P. Copper
Manufacturer's Description — Audio-Technica
AT-VM95SH
This VM95 Series cartridge with 2.7 x 0.26 mil Shibata stylus fits half-inch mount turntables. The cartridge offers excellent channel separation and low distortion for outstanding tonal quality. The durable, low-resonance housing includes threaded inserts that enable the cartridge to be mounted to the headshell with just two screws – no nuts required. And since all VM95 Series share the same body, the stylus can be replaced with any of the six interchangeable AT-VMN95 replacement styli.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Audio-Technica AT-VM95SH
- The Audio Association — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- A1 Futureshop — online and in-store — North Rocks, New South Wales, Australia (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Accesory Jack — online and in-store — New Territories, Hong Kong (website)
- Acclaim Sound and Light — online and in-store — North Bay, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- Adorama — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
and 271 more verified dealers