Audio Technica VMN50 SH

[Natara]

I’ve just bought the above stylus to try against the nude elliptical on my AT150EA I’ve never owned a Shibata before so what can I expect?

[PeteT]

The only AT cartridge I've had was over 30 years ago, and the only Shibata I've had is a Hana not currently in use...

However, as its not just the tip that creates the character, but the package and how it is handled by everything that follows, I'd suggest you install it, take a comfy seat and listen...

And hopefully you'll be a very happy bunny.!

Enjoy the music.!

Sent using Tapatalk

[SiT4]

I would be very interested to hear your findings Natara as i have the VM540ML and wanted to give the Shibata tip a whirl but wondered if its worth the extra expense ?

Keep us posted.

Simon

[graham67]

I use the almost identical AT150Sa having owned the 440mla and 150MLX.

IMO, the Shibata tip is a significant upgrade. Midrange is fuller and more coherent, bass is deeper without losing any top end extension. Its also pacier and boogies better, so its great for rock and pop. It really responds well to a good valve phono stage.

I prefer it over several over hi-end MM carts I owned such as Nag MP500, Audio Note IQ2, DNM Reson Reca.

I fully expect you will love it!

[Jac Hawk]

I'd agree with Graham, a mate of mine owns a VM750SH and every time i hear it i'm impressed, personally speaking i think i prefer it to my Dynavector 10x5

[Mikeandvan]

I use the almost identical AT150Sa having owned the 440mla and 150MLX.

IMO, the Shibata tip is a significant upgrade. Midrange is fuller and more coherent, bass is deeper without losing any top end extension. Its also pacier and boogies better, so its great for rock and pop. It really responds well to a good valve phono stage.

I prefer it over several over hi-end MM carts I owned such as Nag MP500, Audio Note IQ2, DNM Reson Reca.

I fully expect you will love it!

Sounds good, and its not too expensive? Might try one with a Jelco 750 on the 401.

[graham67]

Hi mike,
I owned a jelco 750 with my 401 and always found it rather flat even with audio technica carts such as oc9, mlx150 known for decent energy.
Maybe it was the plinth arm phono stage combo but it never sounded anywhere near as good as it looked (which was brilliant with the 401). Or perhaps I just have better kit now than I did then. But I tried several MM and MC carts on the 750 and it was only when I changed the arm that I started getting the kind.of performance out of the 401 I had heard in other setups.
I remember Terry and Nigel at Loricraft being rather underwhelmed by thw Jelco when I sent it to them to make a plinth.
I note you have an mp200 which is a decent cart, have you thought about an arm upgrade instead?
Graham

[Mikeandvan]

Hi mike,
I owned a jelco 750 with my 401 and always found it rather flat even with audio technica carts such as oc9, mlx150 known for decent energy.
Maybe it was the plinth arm phono stage combo but it never sounded anywhere near as good as it looked (which was brilliant with the 401). Or perhaps I just have better kit now than I did then. But I tried several MM and MC carts on the 750 and it was only when I changed the arm that I started getting the kind.of performance out of the 401 I had heard in other setups.
I remember Terry and Nigel at Loricraft being rather underwhelmed by thw Jelco when I sent it to them to make a plinth.
I note you have an mp200 which is a decent cart, have you thought about an arm upgrade instead?
Graham

Yeh, I might look out for something else. I had the Nima, but I hated it usability wise, it was pants.

[Natara]

Well after a couple of weeks of use I'm really happy with the Shibata it's got a lovely full midrange and fuller bass possibly at the cost of a tiny bit of detail compared to the 150EA's own nude elliptical but it's staying in place for the time being think I'll try a Micro Line when I've some spare cash or if I'm really flush the Special Line sounds like it might be well worth a try.

[MDS]

Interesting
Are the ML just hyped with Shibata the final winner.?

So many positive reviews for ML but more reserved for Shibata.
Fuller sound v details....?, I know what I would choose, even the obvious shorter lifetime

[WullieD20]

Hi mike,
I owned a jelco 750 with my 401 and always found it rather flat even with audio technica carts such as oc9, mlx150 known for decent energy.
Maybe it was the plinth arm phono stage combo but it never sounded anywhere near as good as it looked (which was brilliant with the 401). Or perhaps I just have better kit now than I did then. But I tried several MM and MC carts on the 750 and it was only when I changed the arm that I started getting the kind.of performance out of the 401 I had heard in other setups.
I remember Terry and Nigel at Loricraft being rather underwhelmed by thw Jelco when I sent it to them to make a plinth.
Graham

Interesting comments regarding the synergy (or not!) of the 401 / Jelco / AT cartridge.

I have built two 'solid' plinths (from 25mm Beach ply) in the recent past for exactly the same combinations and have been most impressed with the results on both ocassions.
I use a 12" Jelco and my pal uses a 9", but the interesting part of this is that he swapped his Loricraft skeletal plinth for the solid Beach one and the result has apparently been a more convincing sound overall, better bass and more realistic presentation.

I currently use an AT VM750SH in my Jelco and the results are most impressive when compared to some of my other carts, so conclude that any criticisms of the 401 / Jelco / AT could be aimed at any part of the set-up, possibly including the interconnect?

G

[CageyH]

This is the first time I have heard of a Shibata giving less detail than a nude elliptical.
Are you sure it is set up correctly? They are a pain to get right.

[Natara]

I was pretty meticulous but looked again after the post above and discovered in the process that the platter wasn't entirely level so sorted that out wether the that or it's the stylus settling in I don't know but I have gained a bit more detail it's been a while now so can't really remember if the nude elliptical has more detail but am very, very happy with it regardless.

[CageyH]

I was pretty meticulous but looked again after the post above and discovered in the process that the platter wasn't entirely level so sorted that out wether the that or it's the stylus settling in I don't know but I have gained a bit more detail it's been a while now so can't really remember if the nude elliptical has more detail but am very, very happy with it regardless.

That is the most important thing. :champagne:

[CageyH]

I find myself getting pulled back in to this thread, as I also have a 150ea, which is currently fitted with the ATN150MLx.
Has anybody compared the MicroLine to Shibata styli?
Is there a massive difference?

And has anybody used the Special Line contact stylus?