Cartridge or Pre Amp

I didn’t mean to cast aspersions on the AT cartridges (as the happy owner of an ART9 myself). What I’m suggesting is that at this stage of the game the OP might want to be learning more about which parts of the system have the most leverage, and which kinds of effects, rather than getting lost in the wilderness of specific models and their various merits (as described on the interwebs). I guess it’s a version of the adage, "give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach him to fish..." etc. First learn about the hinge points in the system and then make decisions about tubes, cartridges, phono stages and the like. I understand that it’s a bit of a Catch-22 because you have to make decisions about what to buy before you can hear the effects. But still - I’d say cartridge over tubes (if you have the disposable cash). I also agree that changing the phono stage could be helpful (and more important than the cartridge), but @joyofsound you did start out the thread by saying how much you enjoyed your new phono stage and its qualities.

The AT-ML150 is great, i've tried all cartridges from this series, for $350 the AT-ML150 is unbeatable! The sound is full of details, for double price the AT-ML170 is better. I've tried these carts with different phono stages from $500 to $2500, it wasn't dark at all. Zu Audio Mission Phono cable is great and you can buy one directly from zu audio promo auctions on ebay under $150. 

@jollytinker Very nice cartridge! I was actually thinking of upgrading the the ART9. What phone stage are you running with it?

@chakster I may also experiment with upgrading the stylus.

@joyofsound You can’t go wrong with the ART9. I think it depends on how much cash you want to invest. ART9 is around $1k depending where you get it. If you want to go above that I’d agree that a good phono stage would make a big difference. Mine is a Doshi Alaap 2.1 - even at a bargain price it was very expensive but I don’t regret the purchase. some very good options listed in this thread. Lately I’ve also been enjoying a Zyx CPP-1 head amp running into an old Audible Illusions Modulus 2A pre-amp, using only the tape outs so that it acts as a MM phono stage. sounds fantastic with a pair of svetlana 6922s

The more better the system gets, the more records will sound different to each other. That's the result of higher resolution. In fact, you should embrace it: that's one of the ways to tell if your system is actually getting better or just changing colorations/presentation. 


Surprised at some that are saying "get a better phono stage". Can easily say that about any other piece, or "upgrade everything". I personally think as you describe your system, it is very well balanced. 


Before upgrades, I think it's better to make what you have sounds it's best. What fun is it to just swap components without getting to play with them and get to know them?