2. analog
  3. 1437001122

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
pani
1,219 posts
 
M2-12 has an effective mass of 14 grams. The ART9 performs beautifully on it. 
fleib
1,124 posts
 

Thanks guys, maybe it's enough to convince him, although I'm reluctant to take responsibility. I think he said he has a Grace unipivot, it should be good enough for great results.

Quite an impressive list of carts replaced by ART9. You have me drooling. I just purchased a TT81/7045 and I want to get that functional so I'll will have to wait for a bit. It's at the top of my list.

I can understand how a 100Hz cu of 18 can be scary. We developed a 10Hz conversion based on AT MMs. It works to a limited extent, but not in all cases. The problem is 100Hz cu is not really a measure of compliance. It's more a measure of cu + tracking ability at 100Hz.  Compliance at 100Hz doesn't make much sense.

Regards,

dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,404 posts
 
I think my holiday listening binge has put me on the other side of the break in process. I am hard pressed to find words to express the sheer joy this cartridge brings to my listening experience. I listened to Analogue Productions reissue of Sonny Rollins "Way Out West" the other night--just incredible! Just real performers in the room with all the dynamic swings, tonal realism and playful musicianship one would hear at a live performance in a really good room. I've heard this record dozens of times but never REALLY heard it or appreciated the talent of these musicians. What is really strange is the ART 9 has such extraordinary PRAT that it makes it seem as though my table was running off speed or with some kind of speed irregularity before the ART 9 was installed. The groove and the timing are so compelling with this cartridge. Following the bass lines is such a treat--I'm hearing notes that I've NEVER heard before that really reveal such mastery of the instrument. I also listened to Michael Hedges "Breakfast in the Field" last night. Just off the charts in terms of capturing the tone of the guitar as well as the dynamic energy of his playing style. And the detail--just out of this world but not at all thrown in your face or tipped up in any way. I've heard some pretty fine vinyl front ends over the years but have to believe that the ART 9 mounted in my humble Scout is getting me pretty darn close to what I've heard in much more expensive rigs. I cannot recommend this cartridge highly enough for folks with VPI's that are looking for something transcendent at a real world price.
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
4,867 posts
 
^^^ Right on ... and beautifully written as well. 
pani
1,219 posts
 
This is the very reason I have always maintained that the ART-9 is a cart which is as good as or even better than many $5k cartridges. Almost all those big $$$ cartridges are "voiced" to sound special. It is like they have to justify their price tags. The ART-9 is exactly the opposite. It is the lack of voicing that makes it so special. And unlike some products which can sound indifferent or uninteresting the ART-9 has that magical aspect of bringing every bit of the recorded emotions out of the groove. It rocks and boogies as well as plays opera and chamber music with equal ease. With nearly perfect tone, timbre and timing combined with effortless dynamic swings it really is an ART.

More to discover