One thought on “LP Gear AT-95SA Phono Cartridge Shibata”
After testing this cartridge on two different high-quality turntables—a Pro-ject 9.2 Evolution and a Technics SL-1200 MK3—the results were unfortunately disappointing. Despite the inclusion of a Shibata stylus, the performance simply didn’t live up to expectations. The sound signature is incredibly up-front, lacking the warmth of vinyl and instead sounding more clinical, similar to a CD.
The bass is strong but suffers from a lack of structure, while the highs are excessively bright. Furthermore, the mid-range feels thin and condensed. I allowed for a 100-hour burn-in period and even experimented with low capacitance cables (20pf), but the audio quality remained underwhelming. Compared to the Ortofon 2M Red, which sounded fantastic in the same setup, this $150 cartridge is one of the worst I have integrated into my system.
A word of caution regarding LP Gear: their return policy is non-existent, and they do not seem to stand behind their products. If the gear doesn’t work for your setup, you are stuck with it. For a much better customer experience, I recommend Needledoctor.com instead.
Final Verdict: A harsh, overpriced disappointment with poor dealer support; you’re better off sticking with an Ortofon or shopping elsewhere.
After testing this cartridge on two different high-quality turntables—a Pro-ject 9.2 Evolution and a Technics SL-1200 MK3—the results were unfortunately disappointing. Despite the inclusion of a Shibata stylus, the performance simply didn’t live up to expectations. The sound signature is incredibly up-front, lacking the warmth of vinyl and instead sounding more clinical, similar to a CD.
The bass is strong but suffers from a lack of structure, while the highs are excessively bright. Furthermore, the mid-range feels thin and condensed. I allowed for a 100-hour burn-in period and even experimented with low capacitance cables (20pf), but the audio quality remained underwhelming. Compared to the Ortofon 2M Red, which sounded fantastic in the same setup, this $150 cartridge is one of the worst I have integrated into my system.
A word of caution regarding LP Gear: their return policy is non-existent, and they do not seem to stand behind their products. If the gear doesn’t work for your setup, you are stuck with it. For a much better customer experience, I recommend Needledoctor.com instead.
Final Verdict: A harsh, overpriced disappointment with poor dealer support; you’re better off sticking with an Ortofon or shopping elsewhere.