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Pani ... New ART-9 up and running ...

The Cartridge arrived and I took it down to Studio City to Acoustic Image to have Eliot Midwood set it up properly. Eliot is the bomb when it comes to setting up the Well Tempered turn tables correctly.

http://www.acousticimage.com/

So, last night I had Mr. Golden Ears over to get his assessment as well. For a brand new cartridge that had zero hours on it ... all I can say is WOW! This is one naturally musical cartridge that doesn't break the bank. Its everything I liked about the OC9-mk III, but it goes far beyond the OC-9 in every respect.

In a previous post, I talked about the many mono records I own and how good the OC-9 was with the monos. Well, the ART-9 is on steroids. Just amazing on mono recordings.

At under $1100.00 from LP Tunes, its a bargain. The ART-9 surpasses all cartridges I've had in the system before. That would include Dynavectors, Benz, Grado Signatures and a Lyra Clavis that I dearly loved. In fact, its more musically correct than the Clavis. The Clavis was the champ at reproducing the piano correctly ... the ART-9 is equally as good in this area.

Sound stage, depth of image, left to right all there. Highs ... crystalline. Mids ... female and male voices are dead on. Transparency ... see through. Dynamics ... Wow! Low noise floor ... black. Mono records ... who needs stereo?

Your assessment that the ART-9 doesn't draw attention to itself is dead on. You just don't think about the cartridge at all. Not what its doing, or what its not doing ... its just beautiful music filling the room.

Thanks again Pani for the recommendation. I'll keep posting here as the cartridge continues to break in.
128x128oregonpapa
wrxified
13 posts
 
Great thread.  Thanks Pani for your input.  Have a couple questions for the group.  Looking for suggestions. 

I see most people are using an appropriate phono pre-amp to deliver 100 ohms or more.  Went through the 8 pages and might have missed it but is anyone using a SUT with their pre-amp.

I ordered the ART9 and it's going to go on my new VPI Prime with 3d arm.  For step up and pre-amp capabilities I have several options.  I have the Parks Audio CM1254 SUT and was using it with my AT33PTG/II on my VPI Scout.  Not because my pre-amp options wouldn't support the .3 mv, but mostly because I'd bought into the idea that an a passive SUT to 47k mm pre-amp would deliver better results than most pre-amps could handle unless I was using a very high end pre-amp.  It sounds really good.

So I have the budgie CM1254 SUT.  I also have an Emotiva XSP-1 stereo pre-amplifier.  It has an okay pre-amp.  I believe it's MM 47k plus the option for the MC @ 47,100, 470, & 1000.

In addition I have the Clear Audio Nano V2.  I bought this when I had my Project TT and was having trouble with isolating the unit to a point to avoid low frequency rumble through the speakers.  That has both the MM option of 47k ohms and MC at 51, 200, 402 and 1000 ohms.  Again, bought the Clear Audio mainly for the rumble filter but it seems to be a really good phono pre-amp for the $500 and under range.

So what are your thoughts.  I'd be interested in people's point of view having the options detailed above.
tablejockey
3,888 posts
 
wrxified-

the best setup may be  to just experiment with your options and go with what sound best to your ears.

The ART 9 should sound great with the Prime. I hear excellent results with my Classic through a tube phono 

Loading doesn't seem to be an issue with my setup. I just leave it at 100ohms. Happy listening

jollytinker
213 posts
 
+1 on tablejockey's comments. Give it the best you've got, and the ART9 won't disappoint (as long as it's in good shape). SUT vs SS gain stage seems to come down to personal preference a lot, or implementation in a particular product, so you'll need to experiment. I used a Clearaudio Nano for a while, and I agree it's a good unit for the price point.  However I've found things get a lot better as you move up the spectrum.  Which leads to another point... 

Lately I've been switching around between a few different cartridges - the ART9, Dyna XX2, 'modded' 103r, and Zyx Universe. Each one has its own character but I'd venture to say that the differences between them are not as great (even with the mighty Zyx) as the improvement I experienced when moving up to a high end phono stage. I was surprised by the degree of difference to be honest, but that's what I've experienced. So now that you've got the TT and cartridge squared away, you might think about pushing the envelope with the first gain stage.  enjoy it. 
tablejockey
3,888 posts
 
"So now that you've got the TT and cartridge squared away, you might think about pushing the envelope with the first gain stage."

wrxified- jollytinker has offered sage advice. You have a $5k setup, that deserves
a highly competent phonostage. If I had your table, I would consider a unit up to $3-4k retail(half used)

Also, Fremer gave that Iphono a thumbs up for its price point.If value SS is your bag, another unit to check out.

That table deserves to be presented in its best light. Being a tube fan, there are seems to always be listings for nice units. Allnic,Audio Research,Herron,Manley...
all can be negotiated for a deal.

Play the music LOUD!



wrxified
13 posts
 
Thanks all.  Was considering the PSAudio Nuwave Pre-Amp while they were closing them out.  Have seen some pretty good reviews on it and kinda liked the idea of picking up the XLR outputs and ADC for ripping some of my favorite albums.

http://www.psaudio.com/products/nuwave-phono-converter/

I will check out the others mentioned above.
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