Has anyone upgraded from an AudioTechnica ART9?

I am talking to the EMT Engineers about the 139st. Let’s see. The one they sell has only an MC input with EMT MC transformers. I am asking them to add an mm input too. 

Pani, We're far apart if you admire old Marantz, Denon, Yamaha, McIntosh, Quad solid state electronics compared to recent vintage (last 10 years, for an example).  There have been significant advances in transistor technology since the 70s and 80s, and those old circuits are needlessly complex as well (especially the Japanese stuff), with electrolytics and cheap switches in the signal path, here and there. Plus, we have much better parts these days, even if they're sometimes poorly applied. But that's OK.  I'd look at the work of Nelson Pass as an example of advanced thinking.

Dear @jbhiller  : I read that your budget is between 2k-5k but maybe is a misunderstood by my self.

Anyway, December is " down the corner " so my take is to re-tip the ART 9 and look for money for the Etna or something similar in that league at " " fair " price.

R.

Dear @pani  : """  It is a pity that so many of them are out there to screw up the sound of the original music. Then there are reviewers who give them 10/10, to make things even more miserable.

Only a handful of the manufacturers today really know how to preserve the signal while improving fidelity. In that respect good old vintage stuff was much more consistent. """

I agree with @lewm  on his post about modern/today electronics ( and I can tell cartridges too. ).

I don't know from where came your " screw up the original music ". For me that makes no sense because today designs not only are better designs but as lewm mentioned way better passive and active parts and this means THAT ALMOST ALL THESE MODERN DESIGNS ARE TRUER TO THE RECORDING WITH A LOT LESS " COLORATIONS "/DISTORTIONS. Why do you think " srew up the original MUSIC?

No one can make recordings of original music preserving exactly the same, it's no way my friend.

" Vintage stuff was much more consistent?  " I don't know for sure what you are talking about,sorry.

R.

 Ortofon Winfield, and Benz LPS are better than the black at about that price.