Synergistic Red Fuse ...

Al ...

I believe this was geofkait's quote that hit my funny bone:

 " Only the tormented uncertain mind of the died-in-the-wool pseudo skeptic could come up with such an implausible steaming pile of compost." 

If not, then I apologize.

By the way Al, I was cruising through the AT ART-9 thread last night and was wondering how you like your's now that its broken in? 

OP

And tonight I spewed my newly mixed Bloody Mary all over my keyboard when I read geofkait's most recent post where he said:

" Of course the other sure fire way of dealing with offensive or disrespectful behavior is tell your mommy."  

That's some funny stuff, especially for someone with a slightly warped sense of humor like me. 

OP

By the way Al, I was cruising through the AT ART-9 thread last night and was wondering how you like your’s now that its broken in?

Wonderful in every way :-) I’m forever indebted to you, Pani, and the several other members whose posts inspired me to purchase it!

I should note, though, that very shortly before purchasing it I also purchased a Herron VTPH-2 phono stage (that acquisition also having been inspired largely by the glowing praise it has just about universally received here and elsewhere), and it’s hard to say which of the two items has been the greater contributor to the improvement in my system. Although it’s certainly safe to say that both have been major factors.

To add some context, previously I was using a Soundsmith re-tipped Grace F9E Ruby moving magnet cartridge, and the phono section of a vintage but well regarded Mark Levinson ML-1 preamplifier as my phono stage (accessed via its tape outputs). The ML-1 and various incarnations of the Grace F9E served me well for many years, but the new combo is in a different league altogether.

Thanks again. Best regards,
-- Al

No knock on the Mark Levinson Phono section but I'd expect the Herron to be a considerable improvement based on its long term universal praise from very happy owners. 
Charles, 

Thanks for the response, Al. I'm delighted that you've found the ART-9 to be so enjoyable. Now, this kind of fits into this thread very nicely.  I had no idea what a great bargain (if one can call $1100.00 for a cartridge a bargain), it really is. I've had mine for just about a year now, and over the past year, there has been some very significant improvements to the system in the way of new PC's, new IC's, new speaker cables and some real nice room treatments. Honestly Al, what I'm getting out of my vinyl rig at this point is quite mind blowing. 

Again, I'm so happy that you are finding the same thing. Kudos to Pani. 

OP