Audio Technica Cartridge VM95E too bright

[Scott1951]

I got an Audio Technica VM95E/H cartridge and the overall sound is too bright for my taste. It also has a slight hum between songs sometimes. I have the model that came premounted in a head shell. If I continue playing this cartridge until it breaks in will the brightness tone down a little? Also, if I use my existing head shell instead of the one that came with it would that help the hum problem? I’m using a Gemini XL-500 II turntable, Sony 100 watts per channel receiver and Polk speakers. Thank you!

 

[Jparkie79]

I dont no if you are listing with the lid open but I have found that if you don’t close the lid on the turntable when playing you get feed back like a humming sound.
I also found that a set of good quality leads that have been burned in for 72-120 hours makes a big difference in sound quality check out furtureshop online.

Hope this helps has I’m new to all this myself so still trying to find my feet with it all.

Regards
James

 

[Addicted to hifi]

Welcome jparkie79 to wbf.

 

[Jparkie79]

Welcome jparkie79 to wbf.

Thank you. Hopefully I will pick a few thing up on my way

 

[Addicted to hifi]

I got an Audio Technica VM95E/H cartridge and the overall sound is too bright for my taste. It also has a slight hum between songs sometimes. I have the model that came premounted in a head shell. If I continue playing this cartridge until it breaks in will the brightness tone down a little? Also, if I use my existing head shell instead of the one that came with it would that help the hum problem? I’m using a Gemini XL-500 II turntable, Sony 100 watts per channel receiver and Polk speakers. Thank you!

When the cartridge runs in the brightness should go away.try and separate the power cords from speaker and interconnect cables and the hum should go away.

 

[MPS]

I got an Audio Technica VM95E/H cartridge and the overall sound is too bright for my taste. It also has a slight hum between songs sometimes. I have the model that came premounted in a head shell. If I continue playing this cartridge until it breaks in will the brightness tone down a little? Also, if I use my existing head shell instead of the one that came with it would that help the hum problem? I’m using a Gemini XL-500 II turntable, Sony 100 watts per channel receiver and Polk speakers. Thank you!

Hum is most often caused by grounding issues. Check your cables and test if removing turntable ground wire actually removes the hum or makes it worse.
Audio Technica cardridges typically have pronounced top end, nothing much that can be done with that. Anyway it's good to check turntable, headshell and cardridge adjustments, misalignment will increase distortion which then adds irritating brightness to the sound.