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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
catcher10's avatar
catcher10
77 posts
 
Been thinking of the ART9 for past 6 months, finally good to read some more reviews/impressions of this cart. I currently run an OC9ML/II on a Music Hall mmf-7.1 table. Just recently upgraded the arm to the 9cc from the 9c, very impressed with this arm as I am hearing so much more now. Also added a Cruise Control 2.0 and that has pushed a few notches higher still.
I run my OC9 at 121ohms find that to be the sweet spot, I have a MS Phonomena II so loading options galore.

Any info/impressions on the ART-9 with this Project 9cc arm? I mainly listen to prog rock, jazz, R&B and hard/heavy metal. Pretty much spin new issue vinyl and my well cared for older vinyl from my teen years.

Thanks in advance!
catcher10's avatar
catcher10
77 posts
 
Been thinking of the ART9 for past 6 months, finally good to read some more reviews/impressions of this cart. I currently run an OC9ML/II on a Music Hall mmf-7.1 table. Just recently upgraded the arm to the 9cc from the 9c, very impressed with this arm as I am hearing so much more now. Also added a Cruise Control 2.0 and that has pushed a few notches higher still.
I run my OC9 at 121ohms find that to be the sweet spot, I have a MS Phonomena II so loading options galore.

Any info/impressions on the ART-9 with this Project 9cc arm? I mainly listen to prog rock, jazz, R&B and hard/heavy metal. Pretty much spin new issue vinyl and my well cared for older vinyl from my teen years.

Thanks in advance!
pani
1,219 posts
 
Arm matching shouldn't be an issue at all. It is a typical medium compliance cartridge just like the oc9, Lyra and the likes. Should work with most of the medium mass tonearms. The Pro-ject is also one of them.
tablejockey
3,888 posts
 
"Any info/impressions on the ART-9 with this Project 9cc arm?"

Catcher, I can't speak for your arm/cart combo. I have spent some time with the AT OC9III, now the ART 9. Previous OC9 owners using the ART 9 all seem to nod their heads in approval.
A sonic upgrade in EVERY category. Unlikely you will not like what you hear. The OC9 will sound shrill and fall short in complex music against the ART9.
The cart is also worthy of an equally priced phono amp or more if your budget allows.
Side 1 of Yes-CTTE will have a new meaning with the ART9
If that album doesn't rest in your collection of Prog, well.....
"I get up, I get down"....the swell of the church organ....GLORIOUS!!!

Load it at 100 ohms as the instructions suggest, VTF @ 2 grams(or obsess with -.1 or less) and enjoy.

pani
1,219 posts
 
BTW, Audio Technica recommends a "minimum" of 100 ohms for loading the ART9. If the phonostage is upto the task, a 400 ohm loading is well within the range.
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