Audio-Technica ART 7


Good day A,goners :)

I was in love with the AT OC9 III sound until I damaged it accidentally !!!!!!!!!! The needle broke off completely of the cartridge. I am looking for a replacement. 

I am wanting to stay with Audio-Technica, and looking into ART 9 and ART 7. I read the threads here and some other forums in regards to the ART 9 cart. Most likely will go for the ART 9. However, I am curious about the ART 7.

How many of you here are /were ACTUALLY using ART 7? With what phono stage and gain setting? What are the strength and limitation if you are using / used the ART 7?

I will be using it on a Project RMP 9 table with the 9cc Project arm, Simaudio Moon 310Lp phono, XLR cables (6dB additional gain) to BAT pre-amp.  

Thanks a lot for your inputs :)
Subho


 
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My experience purchasing an ART7 from 2juki was positive. That was several years ago. Since then I have seen the occasional photo on Audio Asylum of ART-series cartridges with skewed cantilevers and diamonds. You might ask 2juki if he will guarantee straightness and perpendicularity. I can’t imagine other defects that might require exercise of warranty.  BTW, I have two early-production ART7s, both of which are straight and perpendicular.
Dave, where in the U.S. can one purchase the ART-9? I have tried the Needle Doctor and LP Gear and they do not show it.
thanks.
Carter


Problem with buying the ART7 (not the ART9) in the US or elsewhere outside of Japan, if you don’t want to buy from one of the eBay sellers like 2juki, is where do you find it for sale? I just checked the LP Gear website; if you do a search for "ART7", you are taken to the ART9 page.  Can you still buy ART7 in the US?

In case one is traveling to Japan, I can say that I purchased from a highly reputable dealer in the Akihabara section of Tokyo (the electronics mecca maybe of the whole world), and the warranty is honored. They replaced a defective Koetsu Urushi for me at no cost, about 7-8 years ago.  As regards the centering of the cantilever in the cartridge body, I only wish all my other cartridges were as perfect in this regard as is my ART7.  I wouldn't think that would be a problem with main stream, high output, old line companies like AT, Denon, etc.
There is a listing for a AT50ANV Moving Coil cart in LP Gear website. The specs are very close to the ART 7 cart. Interesting!  Some A'goners might have used this one as well. 

https://www.lpgear.com/product/AT50ANV.html

The vendor also sells through Amazon. Currently listed in Amazon as well.