Audio-Technica AT-VM95SH/H Headshell & Cartridge Combo Kit

Audio-Technica AT-VM95SH/H Headshell & Cartridge Combo Kit

The Audio-Technica AT-VM95SH/H Headshell & Cartridge Combo Kit combines the high-performance AT-VM95SH Dual Moving Magnet cartridge with the AT-HS6BK universal 1/2-inch headshell, providing a convenient, pre-mounted solution for high-fidelity vinyl playback. The combination is designed for compatible turntables and tonearms using a standard half-inch cartridge mounting system.

At the heart of the AT-VM95SH is a 2.7 × 0.26 mil Nude Shibata stylus, a line-contact stylus profile designed for detailed groove tracing and extended high-frequency reproduction. The Shibata stylus is mounted on a lightweight aluminum pipe cantilever, helping deliver accurate tracking and detailed musical information from vinyl records.

The cartridge uses Audio-Technica’s VM dual-magnet design, with specially wound coils designed to provide efficient signal generation. Its durable, low-resonance polymer housing provides a stable platform for the cartridge and stylus assembly, while the threaded inserts in the cartridge body allow it to be secured to the headshell with two screws without requiring separate nuts.

The AT-VM95SH/H offers a 20 Hz–25 kHz frequency response, 3.5 mV output voltage, and 23 dB channel separation at 1 kHz, supporting detailed and well-defined stereo reproduction. The cartridge is designed for a standard 47 kΩ load impedance and 100–200 pF load capacitance, making it suitable for compatible moving-magnet phono stages.

For reliable record tracking, the recommended vertical tracking force is 1.8–2.2 g, with 2.0 g as the standard setting, while the vertical tracking angle is specified at 23°. The complete cartridge and headshell assembly weighs approximately 15.5 g, making it suitable for compatible tonearms within the appropriate tracking and cartridge-mass range.

Another major advantage of the VM95 platform is its interchangeable stylus system. The AT-VM95SH body is compatible with the AT-VMN95 replacement stylus family, allowing the stylus to be replaced or changed without replacing the complete cartridge body. This provides flexibility for maintenance and future stylus upgrades.

With its Nude Shibata stylus, aluminum cantilever, low-resonance housing, universal AT-HS6BK headshell, and interchangeable stylus compatibility, the Audio-Technica AT-VM95SH/H is a versatile cartridge and headshell combination designed for listeners seeking detailed, high-quality analog performance from their vinyl collection.