please let me know your thoughts on Audio Technica cartridges: 95ML, 540ML, others

pglbook

I will be getting my Thorens TD 160 turntable serviced soon and will also install a new cartridge in it. I'd like to try something new since I have always had a Shure M97XE cartridge in it.

The person who will service the tt for me recommended an AT 95ML cartridge. He said he just installed one for another customer who had a Thorens TD 165 (mine is the TD 160) and said it was a very good match.

I looked up the AT 95ML and it gets good reviews. However, the AT 540ML looks like it would be even more of an upgrade.

I'd appreciate it if anyone with direct experience with the AT 95ML and 540ML cartridges could let me know your thoughts about each and if one would be preferable to the other.

Also, please let me know about any other cartridges I should consider.

I'd like to keep it under $600 if possible but would consider more expensive cartridges as well if the higher option would be a major difference in sound.

Thanks.

jdjohn

I've had a Shure M97xE, and still have several different AT carts, although not an AT95ML, nor an AT540ML. But, I am very familiar with the AT house sound.

Compared to an M97xE, the AT MM carts have more high-frequency detail. The Shures are known to have a warmer sound, with a bit of high-frequency roll-off, whereas the ATs have more extension in the highs. One caveat, however, is that AT MM carts perform best with a low capacitance load, so it's best to have a phonostage that has a -0-, or maybe a 47/50pF capacitance setting available. The phono cable will provide enough capacitance on its own. With a higher capacitance load, the AT can sound too bright and tinny.

The AT540ML has a tapered cantilever, whereas the AT95ML cantilever has a straight tube. The tapered cantilever means less mass on the tip, which is preferable. Given your budget, you might consider going up to the AT740ML, which has a metal body, instead of plastic.

Nagaoka might be another option for you, and if you step-up to the MP-200, you'd get a Boron cantilever.

One other option is to get a new JICO replacement stylus for your M97xE. There are a few different cantilever and diamond profile options, any of which would be an improvement over the OEM bonded elliptical tip from Shure. The JICO SAS diamond profile gets a lot of praise.

Emlyn

I was playing around with budget Shure, Denon, and AT cartridges some years ago with a Technics turntable. My observations about the M97xE are the same as above. Nice warm non-detailed sound. A little muddy maybe but I didn't use one for long because I wasn't all that impressed with it even though I think I maybe spent $60 new for one. I don't remember the model number for the AT cartridge. May have been 440 something.

Since the repair person is making an informed recommendation for AT cartridges based on experience with Thorens and didn't suggest getting a more expensive one I'd go with the 95ML as a start to see if you like the house sound. The 540 and 740 will be incrementally better performing. The choice to spend more really depends on how much you value listening to and enjoying records. A good thing about cartridges is they wear out eventually and provide a new opportunity to get something different.

pglbook

jdjohn, Emlyn:

Thanks for your thoughtful impressions and advice.

I actually like the sound of the Shure M97XE with the Thorens TD 160 but obviously have not had anything else to compare it to. I want to try something different now and see what the change brings.

I like a balanced neutral sound and do not want to get a cartridge that is too bright or too warm. I have read that the 740ML tends toward the bright side. However, as with everything audio, it is all subjective and also system-dependent so it is hard to judge from reviews.

btw, I have a Musical Surroundings Phonomena II+ phono preamp.

Thanks again.

jdjohn

If you like the the M97xE, again consider getting a new JICO SAS stylus. The SAS profile is very similar to the micro-line/ridge, and perhaps even better. It will be a big improvement over the stock bonded elliptical tip that the M97xE came with. https://www.jico-stylus.com/?s=m97xe You can choose between Boron, Sapphire, or Ruby cantilever, with an SAS tip, or you can get a nude elliptical with Aluminum cantilever for less money.

Regarding the VM740ML, the brightness you read about could be due to the capacitance loading being too high. The recommended capacitance load for all those AT MM carts is 100-200pF. Phono cables alone typically have 100-150pF, so it doesn't take much of a phonostage capacitance load to go over the recommended limit, and when exceeded, it is known to sound brighter. I noticed your MS Phonomena II+ has a 100pF option, which should actually be okay, assuming the phono cables on the TD160 are within the typical 100-150pF range.

The TD160 is a very fine turntable. I actually have one in my stable of turntables. The weak spot is where the headshell plugs into the tonearm. That junction can become dodgy over time if plugged and unplugged excessively.

pglbook

Thanks, jdjohn. All good advice!

mikejedi0619

740ML owner here on my Technics SL1200mk5

Wonderful cart , it’s crisp but I wouldn’t say it’s overly bright. My capacitance is probably right where it needs to be. I personally like it better than my old Denon DL110. Which was a nice cart as well. This one hits all the right notes imo. Has a really extended high end great mid and bass too. But again I wouldn’t call it overly bright but definitely crisper and more detailed on my system. I used to own the old AT 440ML — now that one was unbelievably way too bright no matter what I did .. I had like it at first but it was crazy bright at that time.

I think AT makes excellent carts and these new ones seem to really hit it

Hope this helps

pglbook

mikejedi0619, thanks for your feedback.

The 740ML sounds like an excellent cart.

However, I think I am going to go with the 95ML because I learned from further online research that the 540ML and 740ML are best for low mass tonearms and the 95ML is best for medium to heavy mass tonearms. The tonearm on my Thorens TD 160 is the original tonearm and it is a medium to heavy tonearm so I think the 95ML will suit it better.

Thanks again. I appreciate it.

pglbook

I decided to go with the 95ML cart as it was recommended to me as being a great match for my Thorens TD 160 tt. Also, I read that the 95ML is better for medium to heavy mass tonearms rather than the 540ML or 740ML, which are better for low mass tonearms.

I recently took my tt to my local shop to be serviced and have the new 95ML cartridge installed. I should be getting it back this Friday and will provide my impressions of the new cart after I spin some records with it this weekend.

Thanks again for all of your input. Much appreciated.