The AT95E..

by **PatOMalley** » 17 Sep 2010 02:38

I had both the DL110 and DL160 and for me on my preamp they liked a 1k load. It just tightened up a bit. I was using a Hagerman Bugle at the time.

by **davetruestory** » 17 Sep 2010 11:46

This cartridge don't stop to amaze me, listen to Patricia Barber's Cafe Blue it have good dynamics, imaging and sibilance control. The second track of side 2, Ode to Billy Joe it's a good test of sibilance and the last track of side 1, it's a good test of dynamics. The whole album it's an imaging bliss.

by **PatOMalley** » 17 Sep 2010 12:52

No need to go over the top on money. I got the Shibata used for $65. combine that to about $35 for the cart from ebay and I am at $100. I can get an HE stylus for replacement for $60 ...

So it is not a money hog.

I have about 30 hours on the thing now and sibilance was something I wasn't even thnking about which means I have zero complaints about it. For female vocals it whips.

Crazy thing about the shibata is that I changed VTA and I had it tail down. Coletrane sounded like I was up in the balcony. When I raised the back of the arm Trane moved up into center image.

I don't miss my modded 103, even though that cart is incredible. I'm not getting rid of my 103 either, though. ha ha.

by **missan** » 17 Sep 2010 16:36

What I meant was that we must not confuse ultimate detail with high treble level. I feel I have extremely good detail and resolution with my AT11 Shibata, with an accurate treble. No accentuated treble, just right, and very musical.
missan

by **missan** » 18 Sep 2010 09:55

The AT11 Shibata has really surprised me in how good it can get. When potted (which is rather easy on this one), more rigid, where the gluing to the headshell is one bit, and some damping, is has transformed into a cart that just sound so much more right. It´s hard to explain but it´s the best I have heard.
missan

by **PatOMalley** » 19 Sep 2010 00:59

More fooling around. i stripped the plastic from that shibata stylus holder/assembly and added a small bit of wood to the front panel.
Damn. It did really open up. Not sure what if anything the wood added but I know that plastic has just got to go.

Dynamics way up. Stereo image exceeds far beyond sides of speakers, etc. Plastic is eeeeeevil.

Damn. Now that I look I forgot to fill those screw holes.

by **james73_2008** » 21 Sep 2010 22:32

Hi PatOMalley

I see you are in Jersey - so is this place:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

And they sell the AT3400 for $34. It has a higher output than the AT95E - 5.0mV
vs 3.5mV. Do you think it's worth a try with your DIY improvements there?

James H

by **james73_2008** » 21 Sep 2010 22:54

james73_2008 wrote:I'm currently using a nude AT440MLa on my old AT450E/OCC cartridge. The native
stylus is the bonded .4x.7mil AT450E. The AT440MLa blows the AT450E out
of the water. However, I've just ordered a nude .2x.7mil AT130E to use on this
cartridge and I'm looking forward to it's arrival. I'll report the findings (and edit
the below image...) after breaking it in.

Well, I've had the AT130E stylus for a while now and it sounds pretty good to
my ears. Certainly better than the AT450E, but I need to start doing some
direct comparisons between it and the AT440MLa...

Based on my initial impressions, it seems a nude profile is miles better than
a bonded tip. So, I wouldn't have any qualms about buying a AT120E stylus
for my old AT450E cartridge in future.

James H

by **PatOMalley** » 21 Sep 2010 23:27

james73_2008 wrote:Hi PatOMalley

I see you are in Jersey - so is this place:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

And they sell the AT3400 for $34. It has a higher output than the AT95E - 5.0mV
vs 3.5mV. Do you think it's worth a try with your DIY improvements there?
James H

it costs little to do the mods. can't see why it wouldn't be worth it.

by **james73_2008** » 22 Sep 2010 15:28

If anyone's thinking about a 130E stylus from StereoNeedles, forget it. They don't have it. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I'd like to get a 155LC, but it's $179 or something like that. I had a 155ML on my 440 but I broked it. I guess a 140LC would be nice. Maybe I won't get anything else. I have the 150ML and the 95SA. I'm kind of itchin to get back to my MCs

I got my AT130E from http://www.williamthakker.eu/ .

James H

by **lini** » 22 Sep 2010 17:14

James: So you finally tried the ATN130E, as I suggested back then... Nice to hear that you like it.

neo: Did you also ask Stereoneedles about the ATN132EP? It's not quite as cheap there, but still fairly priceworthy for the quality...

Really a pity that many of the nice needles for the AT120/102P family have become rather rare and more expensive lately, though.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

by **Slowhead** » 22 Sep 2010 20:16

I'm really happy with the new AT95SA out of the box on my diy/restored idler table. The output is a solid match for my phonostage. VTF is at 2.0 and VTA is right there, good for me because it's not an adjustable arm. It will have about 20 hours on it after today. I'm looking foward to this Winter and aquiring another styli for modification. Thanks to those who have developed the post and all the knowledge passed along, David.

by **glrickaby** » 23 Sep 2010 05:04

- The v shaped magnets must be exactly aligned horizonally or
you won't have enough clearence in the cartridge. Also, make sure the
length is the same as you may have to push it in further or not as far
before tightening the screw. There is no question about the tightness
of the screw. When the jewelers screwdriver won't turn any more, it
is tight. I had a similar experience putting in the AT120 to the plug
you have and length and horizonal leveling must be exact. Don't
shake. It may take 6-8 times to get it right. Tighten "loose" and
adjust if you have to. Good luck!

by **lini** » 23 Sep 2010 13:36

neo: The 140LC should be nice enough, too. But, yeah, it's a bit strange they won't update the availability status - though I can't really comment on Stereoneedles yet anyway, as I so far haven't bought anything from them yet (and probably also never will, especially as I've already bought pretty much any AT needle I wanted from several dealers over here over the last couple of years, so that I'm pretty well stacked up...). And I'm also not too fond of PayPal only, but iirc they formerly only accepted those Western Union bank transfers for foreign orders, so PayPal would seem at least a bit of an improvement for international customers to me... Nevertheless one wonders, why they don't simply support the major credit cards, doesn't one?

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

The AT95E..

cost and sibilance

Re: AT plastic skirt removal to upgrade other AT bodies/AT95

150 stylus on the AT95HE plug