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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
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Avanti, no the RF issue I referred to would have no relation to a hum problem.  Not sure what to suggest in that regard, given that you haven't had that issue with other LOMCs.  FWIW I had no such problem.

Good luck.  Regards,
-- Al

oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
4,867 posts
 
Al ... 

Thanks for your continued technical advise and opinions. I feel compelled to say that you are very much appreciated and a valued asset here. s

Reporting on equipment and tweaks that work and sharing the good news about same with like-minded fellow hobbyists is a pleasure for me.

Thanks to Pani, there's a bunch of us who are now enjoying the ART-9 and keeping a whole lotta cash in our pockets in the process. 
j_damon
388 posts
 
I've been following this thread, pulled the trigger and ordered one. I am so disappointed, the cantilever is off to the left wen viewing upside down, I saw another poster mentioned the same thing, is this common? I have a VPI superscoutmaster and an ARC ph 6, is this a good match? (the cart is going back, don't know if I should try another) 
tablejockey
3,888 posts
 
J_damon-
I feel your disappointment, especially after shelling out so much cash.

Send a pic to the vendor, have them email you a return label for a new one.

The hassle is worth the performance you will get out of the ART 9.
Mine has been keeping me happy on my  VPI Classic for a 1 1/2 years.  

Good luck


sebrof's avatar
sebrof
835 posts
 
j_damon - I don't know how common it is to have a bent canti, but I just received my Art-9 today and it is perfectly straight. Not sure what cart you're coming from but to me it's worth the price already, even before break-in.
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