Specialized 78 RPM monaural phono cartridge • 3.0 mil bonded conical diamond stylus • Aluminum pipe cantilever • Threaded M2.6 body inserts for nut-free mounting • Modular VM95 series generator engine • Optimized for vintage shellac and lacquer disc archival
The Audio-Technica AT-VM95SP Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge is purpose-engineered for faithful, low-noise playback and archival transfer of vintage 78 RPM shellac records. Equipped with a large-radius 3.0 mil bonded conical stylus mounted on a durable aluminum pipe cantilever, it bridges the wide grooves of historical discs without scraping the groove bottom, dramatically reducing surface hiss, tick noise, and playback distortion. Featuring integrated M2.6 threaded inserts for easy two-screw headshell mounting and internal wiring bridged for mono output from standard stereo phono inputs, this dedicated 78 RPM cartridge shares full modular interchangeability across the entire VM95 series stylus range.
Key Features & Innovations
3.0 mil bonded conical diamond stylus — large-profile diamond radius is specifically calibrated to ride the sidewalls of wide vintage 78 RPM record grooves, avoiding groove-floor debris and surface imperfections.
Durable aluminum pipe cantilever — engineered for robust tracking stability and mechanical resilience under higher tracking force requirements common to vintage shellac pressings.
Mono-bridged coil architecture — while utilizing a standard stereo body connection, the internal coils are configured to minimize vertical groove noise and surface rumble inherent to vintage mono discs.
Threaded M2.6 brass body inserts — low-resonance polymer housing includes pre-threaded brass inserts that allow direct mounting to standard 1/2"-mount headshells with two screws, completely eliminating loose nuts.
Universal VM95 series compatibility — shared cartridge body architecture allows instant stylus swapping across all VM95 styli, letting you transition from 78 RPM shellacs to modern microgroove LPs with a simple stylus change.
Can I use this cartridge to play standard 33-1/3 or 45 RPM vinyl records?
No. The 3.0 mil stylus profile is significantly wider than the 0.6 mil or 0.7 mil styli used for microgroove vinyl. Playing modern microgroove records with the Audio-Technica AT-VM95SP will cause severe distortion and permanent groove damage. It is intended strictly for 78 RPM shellac discs.
What is the recommended vertical tracking force (VTF)?
The recommended vertical tracking force for the AT-VM95SP is 5.0 grams, with an acceptable operational range of 4.5 to 5.5 grams, providing the stability required to track irregular vintage shellac grooves.
Can I swap styli on this body to play microgroove records?
Yes. Because it uses the universal VM95 body, you can unclip the gray AT-VMN95SP stylus and snap in an AT-VMN95C, AT-VMN95E, AT-VMN95ML, or AT-VMN95SH stylus to play standard vinyl LPs. Note that you must readjust your tonearm's counterweight to match the lower tracking force (around 2.0 g) of microgroove styli.
Do I need a special mono phono preamplifier to use the AT-VM95SP?
No. The cartridge outputs signal to both left and right RCA channels, allowing you to connect directly to any standard stereo moving magnet (MM) phono input or turntable preamplifier.
Why Buy From Us
Authorized Audio-Technica dealer offering 100% genuine products with full manufacturer warranty coverage
Specialized technical assistance on vintage 78 RPM playback, shellac preservation, and tonearm setup
Dedicated concierge customer service for archival audio consultation and equipment matching
Fast, secure insured freight shipping with protective white-glove packaging on every order
