Favorite Cartridge? - Blu-ray Forum

quickdraw · 10-25-2021, 03:07 PM

Albeit, not high end by any means, my favorite was the Audio-Technica AT440ML which I purchased from Needle Doctor many years ago when prices weren't insane. Had great tracking and sounded phenomenal with just about any genre of music. Sadly, that one's discontinued and now have an Ortophon 2M series cartridge that came with the turntable. Not horrible, but not that great either. Tracking on inner grooves sounds less than stellar.

I'm now eyeing the Audio-Technica VM540ML. It's supposed to be the replacement of the AT440ML.

The AT440ML (Discontinued)

The VM540ML (Replacement??)

Anyone have the VM540ML and your thoughts? What's your go-to cartridge?

quickdraw · 11-01-2021, 04:12 PM

Purchased the VM540ML last week and have had a few days to audition it. Wow! In a completely different league than the Ortofon 2M Red and even better than the AT440ML! Detail and subtle sonic passages really shine without sounding shrill or brittle. Very well executed cart with excellent separation and instrument imaging. It really makes you understand how a record should sound and how many entry level carts are completely underwhelming.

Played Classical, Rock, Jazz, Lounge and Reggae with the cartridge and all exhibited some kind of improvement. All acoustical instruments demonstrated excellent clarity and projection while hard rock sounded precise with authoritative thump. No sibilance detected on the inner record tracks either, which wasn't the case with the Ortofon cartridge. The sonic presentation seems very balanced and realistic without sounding clinical or sterile. The only criticism of the VM540ML, if there is one, is it lacks a little bit on the bass, however to be fair the stylus needs at least 30 hours of break in time to truly shine to its full potential. It still has bass, but not as forward as maybe some carts. The bass it does exhibit is very precise, not bloated or artificially boosted. I think this thing will only get better with time, so yeah - this is definitely a keeper! IMO the VM540ML delivers more bang for the buck in this price range and seems like an obvious upgrade to get to the next level in LP enjoyment and appreciation.

michaelsmovies · 02-01-2022, 04:22 PM

I don't think I've owned enough to definitively call a favorite, by my current cart is my favorite so far, and that's the Nagaoka MP-110.
I'd recommend it to anyone who's looking for a new cart in that US$170 to $200 price range.

quickdraw · 02-02-2022, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelsmovies

I don't think I've owned enough to definitively call a favorite, by my current cart is my favorite so far, and that's the Nagaoka MP-110.
I'd recommend it to anyone who's looking for a new cart in that US$170 to $200 price range.

It's interesting you mention this particular cartridge. Fluance just created a cart option for their top of the line turntable RT85 using the Nagaoka MP-110. They also offer the Ortofon 2M Blue on their RT85 as well, but I've heard some find 2M Blue sounds a little too bright so it's nice they're giving the consumer a choice.

10-25-2021, 03:07 PM	#1
quickdraw Special Member Member since:Oct 2012 Location:Northern California Blu-ray reviews: 7 Trading Score:1	Favorite Cartridge? Albeit, not high end by any means, my favorite was the Audio-Technica AT440ML which I purchased from Needle Doctor many years ago when prices weren't insane. Had great tracking and sounded phenomenal with just about any genre of music. Sadly, that one's discontinued and now have an Ortophon 2M series cartridge that came with the turntable. Not horrible, but not that great either. Tracking on inner grooves sounds less than stellar. I'm now eyeing the Audio-Technica VM540ML. It's supposed to be the replacement of the AT440ML. The AT440ML (Discontinued) The VM540ML (Replacement??) Anyone have the VM540ML and your thoughts? What's your go-to cartridge?

11-01-2021, 04:12 PM	#2
quickdraw Special Member Member since:Oct 2012 Location:Northern California Blu-ray reviews: 7 Trading Score:1	Purchased the VM540ML last week and have had a few days to audition it. Wow! In a completely different league than the Ortofon 2M Red and even better than the AT440ML! Detail and subtle sonic passages really shine without sounding shrill or brittle. Very well executed cart with excellent separation and instrument imaging. It really makes you understand how a record should sound and how many entry level carts are completely underwhelming. Played Classical, Rock, Jazz, Lounge and Reggae with the cartridge and all exhibited some kind of improvement. All acoustical instruments demonstrated excellent clarity and projection while hard rock sounded precise with authoritative thump. No sibilance detected on the inner record tracks either, which wasn't the case with the Ortofon cartridge. The sonic presentation seems very balanced and realistic without sounding clinical or sterile. The only criticism of the VM540ML, if there is one, is it lacks a little bit on the bass, however to be fair the stylus needs at least 30 hours of break in time to truly shine to its full potential. It still has bass, but not as forward as maybe some carts. The bass it does exhibit is very precise, not bloated or artificially boosted. I think this thing will only get better with time, so yeah - this is definitely a keeper! IMO the VM540ML delivers more bang for the buck in this price range and seems like an obvious upgrade to get to the next level in LP enjoyment and appreciation.

02-01-2022, 04:22 PM	#3
michaelsmovies Member Member since:Dec 2021 Location:NH, USA 4K collection:113 Blu-ray collection:447 DVD collection:41	I don't think I've owned enough to definitively call a favorite, by my current cart is my favorite so far, and that's the Nagaoka MP-110. I'd recommend it to anyone who's looking for a new cart in that US$170 to $200 price range.

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