Audio-Technica AT-ART9 phono cartridge

^^^

Thanks for the response, aragon ...

I've spoken to "Bob" a few times at the Newport show. Nice guy and a real enthusiast too. 

I had a slight hum in my vinyl rig too. I solved the problem by attaching a ground wire to a screw on the outboard motor of my Well Tempered TT and then just letting it hang loose behind the equipment rack. I have zero hum now. Funny how a little fix like that can make such a difference. 

OP

Yeah, when you have so much gain and so many sources of mains noise it gets interesting.  My 28k is quiet in MM mode but I get mains hum in MC mode.  The outboard power supply is plus/minus 24V.  I used 4 lead-acid batteries for power with zero change.  Then I shorted the inputs with zero change.  That's when I ordered the SUT and the B2B-1.

I'm an EE and I have the parts here to build a choke filtered regulated supply but I just haven't had the time.  No project is as fun as audio.  Homebrew electronics!

Thanks again to all who offered opinions on the ART9.  I installed mine a few days ago and it's excellent.  I didn't know how it could improve upon the OC9ii but it did.  The mids are so nice.  Ordered from the highly regarded seller in HK on a Thursday and it was delivered the following Tuesday.  I never purchase items like this without researching online.  This thread made me confident to place this order.

Also, I spoke with ATUSA and they do indeed support the ART9 in the US.

Cheers all.

^^^ It will improve with a little age.  I heard a mega-buck system over the weekend with three turntables sporting a total of four tonearms, one of which had the Lyra Etna on it.  Great cartridge to be sure ... but I really didn't feel I was missing much at all, especially in the area of correct tonal balance. 

I have a rogue Ares phono stage. I'd like to find out if anyone who's using this phono stage with the ART9 and hear what load and capacitance settings are being used.  Thank you