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AT-95ML on a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon

I just upgraded my stereo system and it’s revealed how lacking my turntable is, so I’ve ordered a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (without a cartridge) for a couple hundred bucks, without a cartridge. I plan on throwing the AT-95ML from my current turntable onto the Pro-Ject.

I know a VM540ML would be a "better" fit due to it being higher compliance, but the 95ML is what I already have.

 

My thinking is that some weights behind the cartridge should overcome the compliance issue and give me a solid (for the money) turntable setup.

 

Is there anything I’m overlooking? I ran the compliance calculator and it seems around 6g of additional weight (not including the screws/mounting hardware) should be enough to overcome the compliance issues.

 

Setup will be a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with a VM95ML -> Fosi Audio X2 phono preamp with some GE 5654W’s -> Tubes4Hifi SP12 PreAmp -> VTA ST-120 with Sovtek 5660WE’s -> B&W 702s2’s and a KEF R400b subwoofer.

128x128mephiloco
elliottbnewcombjr
5,547 posts
 

threaded holes in the body is why I would stick with the 95.

my guess, align it, play, bet you will have no problem.

knotscott's avatar
knotscott
963 posts
 

The VM95ML is a good performer and great value, however, my take is that your gear is worthy of better.  If you're going to bother to install a cart on the arm, IMO now's the right time to grab the VM540 (or better) and be done with it, then enjoy it for a good long time.  I suppose it really depends on how far you want to take the system.  Either way, it should sound good.  

lewm
13,199 posts
 

The AT 95ML is a high compliance cartridge (about 40cu at 10 Hz), so I don’t know why you want to add 6g to the effective mass. With such a compliance you could use a tonearm with 6g effective mass, total, which doesn’t really exist. In any case, don’t add any mass. One wonders what data you used to come up with your conclusions.

mephiloco's avatar
mephiloco OP
2 posts
 

The effective mass of the arm is 6g, the cartridge is 6.1g.

Everything I've come across has basically said the VM95ML might be a bad match for the Debut Carbon, but since it's what I already have was wondering if there was some kind of stop gap measure to make it usable for the time being, until I decide to just get a different TT or a new cartridge.

 

I'm also wondering how overstated the mismatch is. I'm going from a Teac TN-400S (which hums and is a very entry level turntable anyways) so while the VM95ML might not be the 'best' for the TT, it should be noticeably better than my current setup.

 

I know you're not supposed to add weight to fix compliance issues, but I was wondering if there was some kind of short term cheat to improve things to maybe give me the nudge I need to fully commit to a good TT setup.

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