I have about 50 hours on the AT-OC9MK2 so I assume it's close to being fully broke in. Mine is mounted on a Rega P9, tracking is set at 1.7g and no spacer/shim was needed. Neutral and linear would be the simplest way to describe the sound, similiar in many ways to my Northstar Sapphire.
Weaknesses-Lacks midrange texture(liquidity/refinement)
-Bass and dynamics somewhat compressed
-Soundstage seperation/lacks a spacious feel
Strengths-Coherent/no spotlighting on certain frequencies
-Adds nothing takes away nothing
-Engagement with the music
The issue of texture/liquidity/refinement would be the main reason I would upgrade to a better cartridge. The other weaknesses might be system/cable related. I will add Spiral Groove Strange Attractors to my P9 to help address the bass/dynamics issue. IMO the only sub $1000 MC cartridge that could better(in some ways) the OC9mk/2 are the Dynavector 20x2l or the Clearaudio Concept MC. My advice is to figure out what phono preamp first then match the cartridge.
Weaknesses-Lacks midrange texture(liquidity/refinement)
-Bass and dynamics somewhat compressed
-Soundstage seperation/lacks a spacious feel
Strengths-Coherent/no spotlighting on certain frequencies
-Adds nothing takes away nothing
-Engagement with the music
The issue of texture/liquidity/refinement would be the main reason I would upgrade to a better cartridge. The other weaknesses might be system/cable related. I will add Spiral Groove Strange Attractors to my P9 to help address the bass/dynamics issue. IMO the only sub $1000 MC cartridge that could better(in some ways) the OC9mk/2 are the Dynavector 20x2l or the Clearaudio Concept MC. My advice is to figure out what phono preamp first then match the cartridge.