Audio Technica VM series Madden in Japan vs. China

I picked up a very nice condition Sony PS-LX3 last week for $19. It came with an old Audio Technica Series V cart with a questionable looking stylus.

I decided to replace the cart with the new VM line from AT so I can start low on the totem pole in case it has the TT has some sort of problems. And if not, I can upgrade.

I bought the VM95C since it was the cheapest and was in stock at my shop. I noticed that it’s made in China. I also own the VM540ML and the VM95ML, both made in Japan. It dawned on me that since the VM bodies are supposedly the same, how is it that some are Made in China and Some in Japan?

The higher end VM are MOJ. Are we supposed to believe that the Chinese made lower end bodies perform the same?

What do you guys think about this?

 

There's some talk about it in the huge VM95 thread here, including this post ... Audio-Technica launches new entry-level VM95 cartridge series

 

Madden is fun to play in any country