Ortofon Cadenza with VPI Scout

Not sure what you feel is lacking but I doubt very much if the Cadenza will give you better performance. The ART9 is probably the only piece of gear that I had genuine regrets after selling. Maybe some tweaks to your setup or table would scratch the itch?

I agree that it would be sideways at best. Unless you are trying to overcompensate for another issue, the Bronze and even better Black are more transparent, neutral options, but the ART9 is competitive with all of those. 

Knowing many Scout owners, I heard improvements from:

- changing the platform the table is on 

- better phono stage

- if balanced phono, changing the junction box at the back of the tonearm to use XLR cabling (big bang for the buck improvement,)

Cheers,

Spencer

ART 9(old version) former user. VPI table

Presently using a cart 2X the MSRP of the 9. Definitely NOT twice the performance. Naturally, it's subjective and system build.

Have you maxed out your phonostage budget? If not, you're not hearing the ART9 at it's "best." Based on your profile, you will hear the ART9 as a new cart with a phonostage upgrade.

After that, prepare for the new table.