New Audio Technica ART9XA Up and Running.....

@pindac
 

Oh yes, I remember that post now. That was on a thread I started way back when I was trying to decide whether to go with the older ART9 or the new ART9XI. In fact, that was one of the posts that began pushing me toward the XA and getting my preamp’s MC gain bumped up to be able to handle the XA’s .2mv output.

It was one of Avanti1960’s posts on this thread that finally drove me to the XA. On 11/28/20 he said:

“15 hours in and it sounds better than the ortofon cadenza blue !  

64db of gain and a 8 to 13 gram arm and you're going to be in vinyl bliss with the XA.

i am mesmerized by how good this cartridge sounds. explosive but delicate, refined yet very detailed, zero groove noise, huge separation and sound stage, all frequencies sound impressive and a golden smoothness that is incredible.”

Since he mentioned the Cadenza Blue, I thought you might want to check in with him directly.

Thank you for your sharing further info on the C' Blue vs XA,
and I'm Glad the report posted from the German forum on the XA proved to be useful.

@pindac   
the cadenza blue has a slightly larger soundstage and is a very good cartridge.  
the ART9XA sounds better overall mainly because of how clean and refined it sounds.  it also has a better centered image, better bass and more upper end extension.  cymbals sound stunning.  it also has a touch of warmth vs the cadenza dead neutral.  
where the cadenza can sound occasionally slightly but noticeably strained and distorted, the 9XA never does this.  
with the cadenza you would not notice it and think it was on the recording, blue note jazz for example, but once you hear the same music on the 9XA you realize it is more refined.  this is similar to the original ART9, the refinement was the key element that made it a keeper but it does everything well.  

Hi there
With a need for replacement of my Clearaudio cartridge, these newer AT cartridges have come into play in my decision making.
Question I have is revolving around a Clearaudio phono pre that has fixed gain of 60 dB (and fixed load of 500 ohm for what that is worth).
Is that 60 dB a significant limiting issue with the XA version of this?
Thanks

Not sure I'm the right guy to help here, but I switched out preamp MC section resistors to get to 65db gain to handle the XA.  Avanti1960, the OP, is using 64db.

The XA is a very low output cartridge (.2mv) because is it air coil.  You should do some further research to see if 60db gain is adequate to get the best out of the XA.  And maybe Avanti1960 will add some wisdom here.