The AT-VM95ML, features a Nude Microlinear diamond, not only the Microlinear stylus will permit to double the life of the stylus. The lighter and stiffer the material, the better and more accurately the cantilever can transmit vibration.

I was glad to see and hear in these two files that the dynamic range was left intact and they both sounds very good to me. The VM95ML is a microlinear or ridge shape: “ allowing for more precise contact with record grooves leading to higher fidelity and less inner groove distortion. The VM95ML Microlinear gave a reasonably bright tonal balance with delicious retrieval of fine high frequency detail that came across with firm confidence. At first I thought that file 1 was a little harsh on the highs but that was because I needed to turn up the volume on file 2. Big advantage of the ML version for me is that because it sits deeper in the groove and retrieves information thus, it avoids tracing the top of the groove where all those annoying little hairlines reside.With Fanfare for the Common Man (Two Countries One heart, 180gm, 33rpm) horns were more dense and sonorous than from the ML, kettle drum a tad more powerful. All stylus assemblies use an aluminium tube cantilever, with two miniature magnets bonded on in 90 degree V arrangement. Listening to several tracks, it was noticeable that tonality was rich and vocals had a presence and clarity to them. The refinement, accuracy, and tracking ability of the ML stylus was revealed in the clarity and detailed sweetness of instrumental lines, which were readily untangled and open to perception. This quality remained right through to inner grooves where on Time to Say Goodbye (Two Countries One Heart, 180gm, 33rpm) singers Cheryl Porter and Roselle Caporale were kept well apart, as only this tip and the Shibata could do.

I digitized at 96/24 a selection (Gigout's "Grand Chorus in Dialogue") from Music For Organ, Brass and Percussion (Columbia M 31193) featuring E. mil conical stylus and improves on the sonic performance of its predecessors, the AT91 and AT91R, thanks to a new aluminium cantilever and a new coil design offering an increased 4 mV output voltage.Today, Audio-Technica’s audio products have become globally synonymous with consistently high sonic performance paired with impeccable build construction and artistic design. The performance of the line contact stylus, will minimise the "inner groove distortion" as well as providing extended frequency response and maximise resolution in the medium and high frequencies of the record material. This is designed to preserve the details of the record groove structure for a very long time — virtually for the life of the vinyl. But these modifications to the turntable and arm helped the VM95ML to begin to show some of its musical and sonic potential. Audio Technica has recently re-vamped the old AT95 line into its current incarnation – the VM95 series.

I would not characterize this file as "warm" because there are sounds that are much harder to discern on this file compared to File 1. The Super Analogue Stylus has a curvature with a smaller radius that was impossible with the Micro Ridge Stylus. The VM95 Series suspension design and compliances of VM95 Series have been designed for optimum audiophile reproduction. This fed an Icon Audio PS3 Mk2 valve phono stage and Icon Audio Stereo 30SE single-ended valve amplifier driving Martin Logan ESL-X hybrid electrostatic loudspeakers.But not everyone was able to sit perfectly positioned with the beams of the Maggies, so that unknown variable could have affected the outcome in some small part. Having a AT-VM540ML, I believe that File 1 is the Audio Technica -- a shade on the bright side of neutral, and I think it shows, particularly at the end.