Audio-Technica AT-VM95EBK/H Headshell and Cartridge Combo Kit at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The AT-VM95EBK/H is a headshell and cartridge combo kit from Audio-Technica (Tokyo, Japan), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. It pairs the AT-VM95EBK dual moving magnet cartridge with the AT-HS6BK headshell, delivered pre-mounted and ready to install directly onto any standard 4-pin half-inch mount tonearm. The cartridge features a 0.3 x 0.7 mil bonded elliptical stylus, a 4.0 mV output voltage, and a frequency response of 20 Hz to 22,000 Hz. The combined cartridge and headshell assembly weighs 15.5 g, providing the total headshell mass figure needed for tonearm resonance calculations without additional measurement.

VM95 Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge

The AT-VM95EBK at the heart of this combo uses Audio-Technica's VM (Virtual Mode) dual moving magnet architecture, which positions two independent magnets, one per channel, at the cantilever tip. This geometry reduces inter-channel magnetic crosstalk and underpins the cartridge's 20 dB of channel separation at 1 kHz. The specially wound TP (tough pitch) copper coils deliver a 4.0 mV output signal with a coil impedance of 3.3 kΩ and a DC resistance of 485 ohms, producing a robust and noise-resistant signal compatible with the MM phono inputs of amplifiers, receivers, and dedicated phono stages. Vertical tracking force is set between 1.8 and 2.2 g with a standard recommendation of 2.0 g, and the aluminium cantilever provides a stiff, lightweight platform for the elliptical stylus to track the groove accurately.

AT-HS6BK Headshell and Pre-Mounted Convenience

The AT-HS6BK is a universal half-inch mount headshell compatible with any 4-pin tonearm connection. Supplied with the cartridge already aligned and mounted, the combo eliminates the need to handle cartridge screws, alignment protractors, or anti-rotation pins during initial setup. The combined assembly measures 21.2 mm H x 21.4 mm W x 62.4 mm D and weighs 15.5 g total, a figure that should be used alongside the tonearm's effective mass when calculating the tonearm-cartridge resonant frequency. The black finish of the AT-HS6BK matches the AT-VM95EBK housing for a visually consistent installation. For users who maintain multiple cartridges, this kit also functions as a ready-to-swap second headshell assembly, allowing a complete cartridge change at the tonearm connector rather than at the headshell slots.

Interchangeable AT-VMN95 Stylus System

The AT-VM95EBK body included in this kit accepts all six styli in the AT-VMN95 interchangeable stylus family. From the standard AT-VMN95E elliptical supplied in the box through to the microlinear AT-VMN95ML, the line-contact AT-VMN95SA, and the Shibata-tipped AT-VMN95SH, each stylus fits the same body with no tools required. This upgrade path means the initial investment in the combo kit can grow into a substantially higher-performing cartridge system over time, without replacing either the headshell or the cartridge body.

Key Features

• Pre-Mounted Combo Kit: The AT-VM95EBK cartridge arrives factory-mounted on the AT-HS6BK headshell, eliminating the need for cartridge installation tools or alignment during initial setup.
• VM95 Dual Moving Magnet Design: Two independent magnets per channel reduce inter-channel crosstalk and deliver 20 dB of channel separation at 1 kHz for accurate stereo reproduction.
• 0.3 x 0.7 mil Elliptical Stylus: The bonded elliptical tip traces groove modulations with greater precision than a conical stylus, recovering more high-frequency detail and reducing inner-groove distortion.
• 4.0 mV Output Voltage: Specially wound TP copper coils produce a strong MM-level signal compatible with the phono inputs of a wide range of amplifiers and phono stages.
• Universal Half-Inch Mount Headshell: The AT-HS6BK fits any 4-pin half-inch tonearm connector, covering the vast majority of belt-drive and direct-drive turntables.
• Known Combined Weight: The 15.5 g cartridge-and-headshell assembly weight is stated explicitly, simplifying tonearm resonance frequency calculation.
• AT-VMN95 Stylus Upgrade Compatibility: The VM95 body accepts all six AT-VMN95 replacement styli, providing a clear upgrade path from elliptical through to Shibata without replacing the cartridge or headshell.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Audio-Technica AT-VM95EBK/H?

The AT-VM95EBK/H is a combo kit from Audio-Technica that pairs the AT-VM95EBK dual moving magnet cartridge with the AT-HS6BK headshell, delivered pre-mounted as a single assembly. It outputs 4.0 mV, uses a 0.3 x 0.7 mil bonded elliptical stylus, and fits any standard 4-pin half-inch tonearm. The combined assembly weighs 15.5 g and is ready to install onto a compatible tonearm without further cartridge mounting or alignment work.

What is the difference between the AT-VM95EBK/H combo and buying the AT-VM95EBK cartridge separately?

The AT-VM95EBK/H includes the AT-HS6BK headshell in addition to the AT-VM95EBK cartridge, with the cartridge arriving pre-mounted. Purchasing the cartridge separately requires either an existing headshell or a separate headshell purchase, plus the additional steps of mounting and rough-aligning the cartridge in the headshell slots. The combo is the more convenient choice for first-time cartridge installations, turntable owners who want a ready-to-swap second headshell assembly, or anyone who wants to avoid handling small mounting hardware during setup.

How does the AT-VM95EBK/H compare to the Ortofon 2M Red or Audio-Technica VM95C?

The AT-VM95EBK/H delivers the elliptical stylus performance of the AT-VM95EBK in a ready-to-install headshell assembly, offering a meaningful step up from the conical AT-VM95C in terms of high-frequency retrieval and inner-groove distortion performance. Compared to the Ortofon 2M Red, which also uses an elliptical stylus and outputs a higher 5.5 mV, the AT-VM95EBK/H's primary advantage is the VM95 stylus upgrade ecosystem: the same cartridge body accepts the full AT-VMN95 stylus range up to the Shibata-tipped AT-VMN95SH. The Ortofon 2M Red upgrades to the 2M Blue via stylus swap only, but the upgrade path ends there. The AT-VM95EBK/H combo also removes the headshell as a separate purchase decision.

Which tonearms is the AT-VM95EBK/H compatible with?

The AT-HS6BK headshell uses a universal half-inch mount and connects to any tonearm with a standard 4-pin half-inch headshell socket. This covers the vast majority of belt-drive and direct-drive turntables from manufacturers including Technics, Pioneer, Audio-Technica, Sony, and many others that use a removable headshell design. Tonearms with fixed, non-removable headshells, such as most Rega and some Pro-Ject models, require the cartridge to be purchased separately and mounted directly to the fixed headshell.

Can I use the AT-VM95EBK/H as a second cartridge for quick swapping?

Yes, this is one of the strongest practical use cases for the combo kit. On any tonearm with a removable headshell connector, the entire AT-VM95EBK/H assembly can be swapped in and out in seconds by unscrewing the headshell locking collar, without disturbing cartridge alignment or tracking force settings. This makes it straightforward to maintain two different cartridges on the same turntable for different listening purposes, such as a standard elliptical for everyday use and a higher-tier stylus for critical listening sessions.

What phono stage does the AT-VM95EBK/H require?

The AT-VM95EBK/H is a moving magnet cartridge requiring a phono stage with a standard MM input set to RIAA equalisation. Load impedance should be set to 47,000 ohms, which is the default MM setting on virtually all phono stages. Load capacitance should be between 100 and 200 pF total, accounting for the combined capacitance of the tonearm wiring and interconnect cables in addition to the phono stage input capacitance setting.

Where can I buy the Audio-Technica AT-VM95EBK/H in Toronto or Canada?

The Audio-Technica AT-VM95EBK/H is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorised Audio-Technica dealer in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the full VM95 Series cartridge range and AT-VMN95 stylus upgrades, and can assist with tonearm compatibility, phono stage matching, and setup guidance for your specific turntable.