2. analog
  3. 135288-1660

1K sleeper MC cart?

My Audio Technica ART9 is going to Soundsmith for a rebuild. Mine almost made it to 3 years!

I'm considering just getting another one because I've been so pleased with its performance.

Curious if any ART9 owners have found a similar "sleeper" in the same price point. I can't go
any lower(.5mv) in output. Its going on a VPI Classic table.




tablejockey
clyde2
6 posts
 
The new Hana SL is terrific for the price ($750) and delivers .5mv. Very well reviewed and lived up to it as far as I’m concerned. A very reasonably priced cart that could keep the music flowing while your main rig is at Sound smith. And if you don’t like it, I’m sure you could sell for modest loss. Good luck with whatever choice you make. 
crazyeddy's avatar
crazyeddy
381 posts
 
@invictus005 Why do you not recommend Soundsmith? I have a Benz Micro ACE LO there now for a re-tip. My first kick at the can with SS. Your above responses have me a bit concerned. I'm assuming you have been down this path in the past with them, and it did not go well.
drack1
22 posts
 
Second vote for Hana SL, comes in under budget and is .5mv.  
drack1
22 posts
 
Second vote for Hana SL, comes in under budget and is .5mv.  
invictus005
597 posts
 
@crazyeddy Because it’ll just simply not sound the same. Different cantilever, different stylus, different suspension, different materials. Why spend the money on something that will be different than the original you like, when you can just simply buy a new one? I just don’t get the logic. That’s all. You'll get it back working. Maybe it will sound better, maybe worse. Certainly it will be different. So why do it?
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