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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
avanti1960
1,484 posts
 
Thanks Tom for the info and link.  It makes sense and now I will add the ART 9 back on my list as I have flexible rumble filter curve settings on my phono pre.   
Is the ART 9 absolutely neutral sounding?  My system is sensitive to bottom heavy cartridges- even my Ortofon 2M black has borken in to sound too thick and heavy.  
Also looking at Ortofon Cadenza Red and Soundsmith MIMC star if anyone has any comments about those cartridges.  
Thanks.  
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,379 posts
 
@avanti1960  Take those calculations with a grain of salt. I did same analysis on a Japanese cart rated 10 compliance at 10hz, converted to 15-20 range which yields resonance 8.5-10. When I actually played the HiFi News Test record, I get 7hz. These formulas, manuf specs and conversions aren't exact. Many don't trust the test records...who knows?

When I heard ART9 in a SOTA system it was very neutral and even across freq. spectrum with little flavor of its own. If I had any criticism it was a lean nature & relative lack of 3D body to images. It definitely showed great value and stood more or less equally with a Dynavector XX2 at twice the price. Cheers,
Spencer
lancelock
1,094 posts
 
Lots lots of praise for the ART-9 cart. I am interested in trying this. Also, moving up from my Scout 1.1 to something up the chain. Any ideas what table, arm combo would be recommended with this cart? Most of you guys have more knowledge in this area than I do.

stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,475 posts
 
Griffithds.....its quite a recommendation to hear the ART9 the equal of the Benz LPS.   The only cartridges I like better than the LPS are the Lyra Etna and Atlas.  Even the Anna doesn't do it for me the way the 2 Lyras perform.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@oregonpapa 
Chakster ... think I heard the ART-2000 in a high-end audio store back in time, but it seems as though it was longer than 15 years. ago. The dealer was bringing them in on the grey market. No warranties. I remember being totally impressed with the pitch black background. Quite a revelation for me. Now, the top of the AT line is the ART-1000 at the price of $5000.00.
Frank

Wow, $5000 for ART-1000 that's too much for me, but probably ok for MC lovers. I'm on my MM/MI/MF route and that's why i'm selling my ART-2000 MC just for $700 including shipping (perfect condition) if anyone would like to try this marvelous Limited Edition Reference Audio-Technica cartridge you're welcome (only 1000 units made 16 years ago for Japanese market). 
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