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Audio Technica ART9 sounds awful

I have a new ART9, maybe 2 hours on it.  I used to run a Dynavector 10x5.  With the ART9 the bass is very tubby or exaggerated.  The soundstage is shifted to the left.  I never heard either situation from the 10x5...nor is it consistent with cd of same albums.  It really sounds terrible. 

I've checked the cartridge out and nothing looks out of the ordinary.  The vtf is set at 1.8...experimented with 1.7, 1.9 and 2.0 just to see.  No luck.  VTA has the arm visually level...I've experimented with different angles.  No luck.

Turntable:  Basis Audio 2001
Tonearm:   Basis Audio Vector III
Rogue Ares:  Phono stage (set at 100 ohms)

The system has not changed other than the cartridge.

Any suggestions or ideas about how to correct the problem?

Thx


safebelayer
jollytinker
213 posts
 
@sfall  there's no disagreement here. there's a good discussion of the break in issue as regards the ART9 cartridge in the Agon thread devoted to that cartridge (link below). Ironically I was one of the people arguing for the validity of break in with carts and I promised to give my impressions of the ART9 in comparison to my Zyx after 100 hours of breakin! (soon to come). My point above was that even in its brand new state the ART9 sounds like a high quality cartridge, and nothing at all like the description given of it by the OP.  



jollytinker
213 posts
 
http://https//forum.audiogon.com/discussions/pani-new-art-9-up-and-running

here's the link 
ps68
230 posts
 
As per many others, my Art9 sounded right from new; then got better. Clearly something is amiss with the OP's Art9 which is unfortunate; but hopefully it can be resolved without issue. It is worth checking the stylus with a strong magnifying glass to ensure it looks correct and that the diamond is clean and clear, no glue etc.. This is critical to top performance, so I check mine every LP as my headshell is removeable.

lewm
13,252 posts
 
Safebelayer, Just to be sure you got the right idea from Almarg, me, and a few others, what we suggest is that one channel is 180 degrees out of phase with the other.  That condition can cause most of the symptoms you report. 

So, to check that problem, just reverse the speaker leads on ONE of the two channels, either one, leaving the other channel as is.  Perhaps you know this and have already tried it with no success, but it did occur to me that perhaps it wasn't clear.

For sure, no cartridge sounds its absolute best on day one, but not to the extent and with the peculiar symptoms that you report.

stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,480 posts
 
If its a new cartridge as you state, send it back for exchange.  If you bought it used, send it to Soundsmith for an inspection. 
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