An Elite Japanese Hi-Fi Brand Just Released an Affordable Upgrade for Your Turntable

You don’t have to break the bank to give your turntable a quick hi-fi upgrade.

Close-up of a black turntable tonearm and stylus resting on a vinyl record.

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Published May 13, 2026

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Audio-Technica has been one of the biggest names in entry-level turntables, which range between $150 and $300, for years. But it’s also been one of the biggest players in the entry-level phono cartridge market, too.

In fact, not only does Audio-Technica equip its own decks with its own phono cartridges, but other popular turntable makers (such as Fluance, Sony, Victrola and Pro-Ject) have been known to use A-T’s phono cartridges, too.

Since its 2018 release, Audio-Technica’s AT-VM95E has been one of its most popular moving-magnet phono cartridges. It costs just $74, and is an easy and affordable way to upgrade your entry-level deck.

Now, Audio-Technica has introduced a new version of that popular entry-level phono cartridge.

Audio-Technica AT-VM95EBK

Black Audio-Technica AT-VM95E phono cartridge with gold screw inserts and silver pins. — According to the brand, the AT-VM95EBK “brings the proven VM95 Series engineering into a clean black design.”

The Audio-Technica AT-VM95EBK is the newest addition to the brand’s VM95 series of entry-level phono cartridges. And it doesn’t mess with success too much.

In fact, the all-new AT-VM95EBK and the existing AT-VM95E are the exact same moving-magnet phono cartridges. The difference? Instead of green, the AT-VM95EBK comes in a refined black finish.

According to the brand, AT-VM95EBK brings “the proven VM95 Series engineering into a clean black design, featuring a 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical stylus and specially wound coils that deliver a 4.0 mV output with excellent channel separation and low distortion.”

Close-up of a black and green Audio-Technica turntable cartridge and stylus on a spinning vinyl record. — The AT-VM95E has been one of the brand’s most popular phono cartridges for the last several years.

Like its predecessor, the AT-VM95EBK is designed for half-inch mount turntables and is compatible with all six interchangeable AT-VMN95 replacement styli. It features a durable, low-resonance polymer housing and is simple to install, requiring just two screws.

For those who want an even more streamlined installation, Audio-Technica has introduced a Combo Kit (VM95EBK/H) with the same AT-VM95EBK cartridge pre-mounted on the AT-HS6BK universal half-mount headshell.

Close-up of a black Audio-Technica AT-VM95E turntable cartridge with exposed internal wiring. — The AT-VM95EBK/H is the same new phono cartridge that comes pre-mounted to a half-mount headshell, for an even more streamlined installation process.

Availability and pricing

Audio-Technica’s AT-VM95EBK moving-magnetic phono cartridge is available now. It costs $74, the exact same price as the company’s existing AT-VM95.

The AT-VM95EBK Combo Kit, which features the same cartridge pre-mounted on a headshell, costs $109.

Both are available now.

Black and silver Audio-Technica AT-VM95E phono cartridge with gold pins and stylus.

Audio-Technica AT-VM95EBK

About the Author: Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. With a passion for consumer tech and hi-fi, he tracks everything from headphones and turntables to smartphones and wearables. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

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