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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


 
128x128confuse_upgraditis
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@lewm 

Chakster, It seems other guys here, who perhaps live in different countries, are saying they receive unopened factory containers when they order from 2juki, suggesting there was no possibility that 2juki tampered with serial numbers, let alone added a serial number from a different product.

I don't care what they said, any box can be opened and then sealed with plastic again, look at your ZYX cartridge! The way the serial number stamped on it and the way the serial stated in the manual. Everything can be opened and sealed again when it comes to $3-5k cartridges.

Unfortunately the manufacturer of the very high priced high-end products (cartridges) doesn't care too much about prints, boxes, sealing materials. Everything can be printed, sealed by anyone at home. He's not making cartridges at his garage for sure (they are original), but his grey market product is masked to hide his source. The manufacturer will close the distributor who's selling overstock to grey marked dealers. 

Averyone have to read the message on Robyn Wayatt's site: 
http://www.robyattaudio.com/ below is a quote: 

""Any Miyajima products purchased from EBay from Hong Kong carry NO USA warranty, or support. Any type of repair or re-tip will not be honored by Robyatt Audio, or Miyajima-Labs.

If you purchase a grey market Miyajima Labs product, if and when it fails, its junk- NO repair."" 


The manufacturers and distributors are worried about it, do you think they have no reason for that ? Then why the biggest distributors of Ortofon, Miyajima, ZYX ... in USA are so concerned that even the cartridge designers themselfs will refuse the grey market cartridges?

Some cheaters selling overstock to grey market dealer to get rid of them for very low price, all they need is to hide the real serial numbers! And thast's what they do. 


At the same time some people prefer to buy from cheaters on grey market ignoring the fact that manufacturers of those carts are not happy about the situation and simply do not service them! 


We have people like Robyn Wayatt in USA who can give any buyer his Miyajima on trial for full refund! It's absolutely amazing offer. We have Mehran at RosaSound who's the greatest dealer and very nice person, he always announce discounts on his site, special offers for trade-in stuff etc. I could mention great dealers in Europe as well. If someone will buy anything from them they will get full support forever. I have no bias, i'm not in USA and i have no busines relation with any of them. As a buyer i have spoken with various dealers, customer support by the dealer and service by the manufacturer are two reason why we want to buy from official distributors (instead of grey market dealers). 





melm
1,082 posts
 
@soundermn 

Having bought from an authorized US dealer, do you know what the re-tipping charge is from Audio Technica?  Is that done in the US?
soundermn's avatar
soundermn
344 posts
 
@melm Sorry, I don't know.  I didn't ask that question.  But, IME with NeedleDoctor, you can get a 20% discount toward a new one if you trade in the old one.  That is why when I wrecked my 10x5, I decided to trade up rather than just replace it.  So I paid more, but kept the 10x5.  ND did offer a discount anyway on the ART, considering I had bought the Dynavector from him a couple years ago, and I think he sympathized with my mistake.

Eventually I will send the 10x5 to Soundsmith for a new cantilever.  That will be cheaper than going with a new Dyna, and probably as good or better.

You can give Ken a call at ND and he can tell you about retip options.  They are great to deal with!
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 

There is no Factory retip.  From the ART7 manual:

"When the stylus is to be replaced, replace the entire cartridge. Take the used cartridge to your dealer: This cartridge and other MC cartridges sold by AT are available at the stylus replacement price.  If this cartridge is no longer being produced, one of the MC cartridges currently being produced will be available at the stylus replacement price."

Which is still confusing, as there is no stylus replacement available at any price.

confuse_upgraditis's avatar
confuse_upgraditis OP
29 posts
 
I would like to thank everyone who joined the discussion and gave valuable feedback on not only the specific cartridges I mentioned in my original post but also on buying experiences or decision making processes. 

As always it was clear how passionate you all are about good music and good sound, and above all how much you love the hobby.  Thanks again for sharing :)
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