Cartridge Upgrade ...AT ART-9?

@chakster

Mr. Carr sells cartridges and retips. He sells HIS cartridges and retips. SoundSmith is a competitor. They sell cartridges and retips of their cartridges and other people’s cartridges, including those of Carr.

Peter Ledermann, the proprietor of SoundSmith, will happily give all of the considerations of which he’s aware about his services. Positive and negative. He often appears in these types of forums and provides what he knows. He does that WITHOUT disparaging the work and product and business ethics of competitors. He will answer emails; he will get on the phone with customers. His work on a variety of cartridges has been given great praise on forums like this one.

There are others who provide similar retipping services who have received praise in forums like this one.

Still the unanswered question: What EXACTLY does Audio Technica offer by way of after-sales service to those purchasing from an authorized dealer? Is LP Gear an authorized dealer? If a US resident buys from a Japanese authorized dealer can he expect after-sales service? Does Audio Technica offer retips? If so, what is the cost?

Back to the original question... my upgrade path was Blue Point #2, then Ortofon 10x5, then AT ART9.  I have been very happy with the ART9 for about a year.  So much so, that when time comes to replace it, I will be getting another ART9.  It now has around 400-500 hours on it, and sounds fantastic.

Check other reviews on ART9, and I think you'll see you cannot go wrong.  That said, maybe others like Shelter would be different, and maybe even better in your system... but you can't go wrong with the ART9.  IMO, it's a good high-end value.

I think your Allnic Phono Preamp would mate very well with it, and should sound great!  It has 62db of gain, or 66db, either of which should be excellent.

(but it make sense only if the diamond is exactly like on my picture, not damaged or destroyed). 

@chakster - I can see my Stylus but I don't think it's as high off the cart as yours (sits way lower) ....not good? Thanks 

Dear @tommypenngotti  : This could be a good alternative over Andy or SS for your 205 MK3 cartridge repairs:

http://vasnyinc.com/pages/repair.php

R.