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73.17.121.39
Hello - based on what I've read about the AT-ART9XI, I'm going to probably send my ART9 in for trade rather than retip it (although any counter argument is welcome). I did find with my ART 9 that slight tail up with around 1.75vtf was best. Any opinions on settings for the newer version? Thanks
Follow Ups:
If your phono stage can handle a 0.2-mV cartridge, I would recommend the ART9XA. This cartridge should sound better than the ART9XI due to its lower coil inductance. Anyway, the ART9XA would be my choice for a cartridge at that price point.
Happy listening!
John Elison
I haven't posted in a long time, but this is one of my favorite subjects. The ART series of cartridges in any of it's guises is, in my opinion, one of the best cartridges for the money on the planet. Any of them is a superb choice. The difference between the XA and the XI is very subtle. Choose on the basis of the amount of gain you need for your phono stage. You literally can't make a bad choice.
> Choose on the basis of the amount of gain you need for your phono stage. You literally can't make a bad choice.
I agree!
I'm just saying that if you have a phono stage that can handle an ultra low output moving coil, the XA version will probably sound a little better than the other higher output cartridges.
I discovered this many years ago when I bought the original Ortofon MC-2000. Its rated output was only 0.05-mV and I had to use the T-2000 step-up transformer to get enough gain. However, it turned out to be the best sounding cartridge I've ever owned. Since that time, I've always made sure my phono stage was capable of amplifying ultra low output moving coil cartridges. I've owned several others over the years and they all seemed to sound better than higher output moving coil cartridges.
Happy listening!
John Elison
John and Bill, I know nothing about step up devices; the ART9 I just traded for is my first low output cartridge. I do love the phono stage of my Amp. At the level of equipment I have (if it's relevant, I have an Artemiz arm and Totem "the one" speakers), what do you think is the device I would want to get cost, at a minimum, or what would be your recommendations for ones to explore?
You might want to talk to Bob Sattin at "Bob's Devices" for advice. I own one of his older 1131 step-up transformers and it sounds very good to me. However, I understand he has newer units that represent an improvement over the one I own. A good step-up transformer isn't cheap, but if you want top quality sound, you have to spend some money.
On the other hand, if you were satisfied with your AT-ART9, you will probably like the ART9XI even more. It might be best to stick with the standard low output ART9XI rather than buying the ultra low output ART9XA.
Good luck,
John Elison
Thanks John - I'm very happy you and others have praised the 9xi, as I was extremely nervous about giving up my ART9; It is far and away the best cartridge I've ever owned, the best previously being high output Benz Micros and a high output Adcom/van den Hul (made for Boston Acoustics). Should get the new one soon.
The ART9xi is better than the ART9 out of the box - thanks for the recommendations. Jim O
As I already wrote any MC cartridge stands a good chance of improvement when coupled to a step up transformer. There are good ones available from several companies: Ortofon, Bob's Devices, and Denon come immediately to mind as popular safe choices. There are a lot of options and this is something that can be safely purchased used. Take a look at ebay and audiogon for starters. The current issue of TAS has an evaluation of the current Ortofon unit. Expect to pay $500-$600 for a good used one. If you are going to acquire one, then I agree with John's recommendation that you go with an XA.
Thanks - I assume I should stick with the higher output as I just use an integrated amp right now - the Musical Fidelity A-300. Agree?
I know John prefers the XA version (formerly ART7) because of the non-magnetic core and fewer coil turns but I'm trading my ART9 in for the XI version, mainly because I'd have to purchase another phono preamp with more gain. The specs for your Musical Fidelity A-300 shows a MC phono input sensitivity of 0.350 mV, which probably works well with your ART9 (and therefore an XI) but might not work out so well with the 0.200 mV output of the XA version.
The other reason is that I prefer the higher dynamic compliance of the XI (15 x 10-6 cm/dyne @ 100 Hz) vs the XA (10 x 10-6 cm/dyne @ 100 Hz) because of the tonearm I use. I've just had better results (tracking and distortion) using cartridges with higher compliance.
Tom
I'm curious - how many hours on your ART9? I ask because I got lazy keeping track (I'll get a timer now), but figure I have to have over 1000 hours, maybe well over,; but it sounds better than ever with no tracking, dulling, or sibilance issues at all. I just assume I should change with this level of use.
I'm approaching 800 hours on the ART9 and it still sounds fine but based on a bunch of articles regarding the wear on fine line stylus profiles I replace cartridges well before they reach 1000 hours. The degradation is typically very subtle and a fair amount of wear has already occurred even before you notice the difference. My way of thinking is that I've played 1200 albums with that cartridge and it'll cost me perhaps $600 to replace it so I spent 50 cents per album to enjoy listening to those LPs. A new cartridge will ensure that those albums remain in great condition for the next time I listen to them.To keep track of stylus play time I use a manual tally-counter to keep track of each side of an LP and multiply the number of sides played by 20 minutes, which actually overestimates the hours of play. (Based on the average play time per side of over 300 records that I'd recorded, the average is 19 minutes.)
As Bill mentioned, you have to have the stylus professionally inspected to know what condition it's in. I thought about doing that but it can be somewhat expensive plus the time lost. I just replace cartridges before they probably need to be replaced but why push the limits?
Added: The amount of degradation caused by using a fine line stylus at 1000 hours vs 800 hours is probably so slight that I wouldn't be able to hear the difference. But every time I dropped the tonearm I'd be wondering; peace of mind is worth something. :-)
Edits: 01/19/24
Again either the XI or the XA would work for you. The XI, with more gain would be easier to use with a wider variety of amps/preamps. OTOH, it is always possible to use an SUT to step up the gain and I am old school and always, always prefer the sound of any MC cartridge when coupled with a transformer. It warms things up, fills in the space, makes the presentation more musical, more enjoyable. John is correct about the aircore in the XA being superior, but...to my ears, and this is just my subjective opinion after an extensive A-B of both cartridges that the sound difference is extremely small. Personally I would choose the XI for it's greater versatility while giving up very little. And I would get an SUT as soon as I could afford it. As far as wear on your existing stylus is concerned, you need to examine it under a high magnification microscope to determine if it is ready for replacement. There is no other way to know for sure where you are at.
Thanks to all of you - I'm just going to go ahead and trade for the 9XI - HiFi Heaven in Wisconsin is giving me $900 credit for the trade, just shy of what I paid for the 9 from them in 2018. I recommend them. Jim O
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