Has anyone upgraded from an AudioTechnica ART9?

@uberwalts

I would have said the art7 was a worthy alternative to the art9. The 20Sla not so much......

Maybe, who knows. For me an alternative is something different, not just the same house sound of the recent AT LOMC which i am quiet familiar with since the ART2000. As you can see our Pani went completely different direction from the modern AT MC sound.

The vintage AT MM is different and can be an alternative too, but i prefer AT-ML180 OCC to the earlier AT20SLa. The "sound of mastertape" is all about MM. They can be much cheaper as the AT20SLa , but AT-ML180 ain’t cheap at all. Anyway it is an alternative Moving Magnet sound to the Moving Coil sound.

As for the LOMC with warmer organic analog sound, as an alternative to the modern ART9 sound, the old Miyabi and modern Miyajima is the way to go in my opinion.

If you follow Pani's posts, you might notice that he is frequently in the market for a new this or a new that.  There's nothing wrong with that; it's part of the fun of the hobby for some of us, but it does suggest that Pani is on a different journey or has yet to figure out where he wants to go with his home sound.  It takes decades for some of us to get there.

I must admit to also having the wanderlust as far as carts ( and even TT) are concerned too.
Just so many great options.
Now while I have a number of very nice vintage mm carts from AT, Sony, Astatic, Glanz etc I usually find myself coming back to my Scheu Analog SL mc cart so not quite sure where I am heading on my journey.
More expensive modern mc or even more rare ( read also expensive!) Vintage mm carts.
No idea but it is a fun ride!

I've got a lot of miles on this ART9 so I know there's a funeral coming up.  80% of me says to repurchase or send it in for a retip.  20% says that was wonderful so there must be something more wonderful.  Admitting that feels cathartic.  

If I read it correct the OP has a wish to experience something different from a
Art 9, that is not more than $2000 as this purchase value has already been rejected, or the purchase value was rejected as the noticed change in the auditioned cartridge did not justify to the OP, the additional outlay.
The Art 9 is a modern concept on the presentation it offers, heading into reference area, where it will be very revealing and entering the analytical playback, it will not be seen as rich or outstanding in its capability of laying out every detail in clinical sense.
This experience with the Art 9 will leave the OP with a general understanding of what it is they are looking to change in relation to a Art 9 presentation.
The route of the Ortofon Anna and A95 will be going into the realms of analytical detail, at a increased cost.
The EMT sounds like it has brought a richer presentation, suiting the ear of the other Art 9 owner, the Denon referred to will also be in the rich department.
The OP will need to work out for themselves where they feel the Art 9 Cartridge is not delivering for their personal preference.
If they feel they are requiring a little more detailing this might just be achievable by trialing with a Hardened Material for a Platter Mat, to change the attenuation, and this can be taken further by improving on sub plinth isolation.
For me I would choose a Cartridge that at the end of it service, it can be given more than a re-tip, I like a cartridge that can have parts attached to overhaul the inner working parts, and even better have these parts replaced for ones that belong to much more expensive models.
My experience of using this method has been to receive a real high quality cartridge, that totally satisfies my ears and budget.