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

This is the best cart that I have owned (previously: Denon dl-301ii), so I cannot speak with authority about how the Art9 stands up to carts in the USD 1000+ range; but it is certainly a high performer. (A friend feels that it outperforms his DV 17D.). Like any cart, it cannot hide a weak tonearm , mediocre phono stage, or noisy turntable, so it is dependent on its support system. Also, it is highly set-up dependent: given the line-contact stylus, horizontal alignment is critical. I used the Conrad Hoffman protractor; but I’m thinking about borrowing a set-up microscope. VTA is also important. We tried a little negative rake (tonearm sloping down toward the pivot) and the treble became overly detailed. We tried load settings from around 85R to 350R; for the moment, 150R seems about right; but, I have a feeling that it may want something closer to 200R. Time will tell.

The cart currently has around 25 hours, so there is more break-in to come; but, I am satisfied with its performance to date. I won’t try to describe the sound characteristics except to agree with the general tenor of the comments here: essentially it seems highly responsive, accurate, and un-intrusive across all frequency ranges.

I was a little concerned about tonearm/cart matching: mounting a high-compliance cart on my Grace 940, 16g tonearm.  But, I have not experienced any ill effects. The cart seems to behave correctly; and there is no low frequency resonance - audible or visible. However, I did take the precaution of swapping the 12g oem head shell with a 7g magnesium model (to lower eff mass). And, my tonearm is a unipivot which tends to diminish resonance anyway.  

In summary, I don’t know if the Art9 is God’s gift to analog sound; but it certainly is a fine cartridge and I don’t think anyone would regret owning one.

Just thought I'd share this info

Now my ART9 sounds much more dynamic on the SME 312s arm. I changed the cartridge loading from 100 to 1000. Once this cartridge is set up exactly right and broken in, I highly advise trying this.

Sounds fantastic through my Coda 06x phono stage which is going up for sale shortly.

Just stumbled upon this thread, very timely too as I have recently at last, fitted my ART-9 to my SAEC WE506/30. I have been working on (and off - as time permits) a rebuild of a 1978 Sony TTS 8000 with the SAEC in my own plinth design. The plinth is currently at prototype stage to establish correct tonearm positioning as SAEC's own recommendations I assume are based around 7" singles, the 506 being manufactured for the broadcasting industry. I have sub 20hrs with ART-9 so far, but in line with many of you gents, I agree wholeheartedly that this is a significant cartridge at the price point, and also in comparison to far more costly ones. So far, I just feed it into my Clearaudio Basic phono stage, (which is staggeringly good value!) but in the next week a new Concert Fidelity SPA4c V2 will be installed which is a very concise amplifier. We used this at T.H.E show to much praise. (Disclaimer; I distribute Concert Fidelity products in the UK, but I am not here to 'promote' their products). 

I did have some concerns over matching the ART-9 with the 12" SAEC, as the '9' is fairly compliant, but it seems that there are no issues at all to worry about and it tracks extremely well even at inner groove. It has a very concise and clean sound once the set up is perfect, and I did spend many many hrs working on the CAD model to ensure geometry was correct, and it pays me back each time I have played an LP so far. Once the plinth design and materials are finalised and machined / built, the ART-9 will be well past 100hrs use and the CF stage will also be in use, so there is more to come from this little beauty. 

VTF seems good around 1.7 - 1.75 gms for me, how does this compare for other users here? Also, the CF stage offers 100 or 200 ohm settings ( +30 & 50 ohm), I start out with 100 AT recommend to begin with though..

ATB,
Paul.

I've found that the 100 ohm setting is the right setting for my ART-9 as well.

I've not played records for a few weeks, so taken was I by the CD player I installed the two SR Black fuses into the player and  they broke in.  I just wanted to keep listening to CD's. Hard to tear yourself away when CD's sound THAT good. 

I had a couple of friends over last night for a listening session, both of whom knows my system really well.  About half way through the session they wanted to switch to the turntable.

The first thing I threw on was an excellent stereo recording of one of Cal Tjader's Latin albums. The percussion was so natural sounding along with Tjader's vibes, it sounded as though Tjader's group was in the room and across the sound stage --- front to back, side to side and floor to ceiling. Simply amazing at the ART-9's price point.

I can say that the ART-9 has stayed right up there with the very significant improvement made in the CD player. Wow! What a good buy (in high-end terms) the ART-9 is. Its a bargain considering what I does (or doesn't do.) One thing it does the best is to stay out of the way of the music. 

ps68 ... After around 50 hours of break-in the cartridge really gets going. 

Happy listening ...