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

XA (0.2mV output)  can best be compared to the ART7, not the ART9, on the basis of voltage output. Both the 7 (0.12mV output) and the 9 (0.5mV output) are discontinued, so if you want to replace the 9, you’re best off with the 9XI which has similar voltage output. If you have sufficient overall gain in your system you can consider the XA which was the subject of this thread. Of course the new models are both more expensive than their predecessors by a few hundred bucks.

I chose to go with XA after hemming and hawing with cartridge choice over a couple years, this decision included cartridges at prices up to $5k. Based on that research never saw a single dismissive review of it, many claim it competitive with just about anything.  I was somewhat skeptical a $1.5K cartridge could play with much more expensive cartridges, but the consistently great reviews helped to alleviate that skepticism. I suspect efficiencies of scale may be at work here, Audio Technica relatively large company.

Anyway, I purchased XA along with Thoress phono pre and Korf headshell. Here's the crazy thing, haven't installed any of this into system since purchase of these items over a month ago, fixated on streaming experimentations at present.

Assuming one has sufficient gain, I'd go with majority opinion and get the XA over 9 and xi. Sometime very soon I will actually get to hear this is my own system!

I'd go the ART9XI over the ART9XA because I do not like the brittle sound of the shibata profile used in the XA  - the X! as well as the new ART20 both use special line contact rather than the shibata.

I too was rather surprised to learn that the XA uses a Shibata stylus shape.  Not that I have a firm conviction regarding Shibata SQ but more because I would prefer the line contact.  On the other hand, since these terms that describe stylus shape are so loosely applied, who knows?  Maybe the AT Shibata is not a classical Shibata shape.

@dibsinfo 

I had both and the decision should come down to how much gain your phono preamp provides.  the XA sounds spectacular with the right amount of gain- e.g. 66db minimum, 64db was not enough for me. The XA has better internal wiring and a cleaner, more pure sound and better dynamics but the low .2mV output really demands a quality preamp with enough gain. 

The XI is higher output and can shine with as little as 56db gain. 

Pick the one your preamp can support.