Audio-Technica ART 7

Problem with buying the ART7 (not the ART9) in the US or elsewhere outside of Japan, if you don’t want to buy from one of the eBay sellers like 2juki, is where do you find it for sale? I just checked the LP Gear website; if you do a search for "ART7", you are taken to the ART9 page.  Can you still buy ART7 in the US?

In case one is traveling to Japan, I can say that I purchased from a highly reputable dealer in the Akihabara section of Tokyo (the electronics mecca maybe of the whole world), and the warranty is honored. They replaced a defective Koetsu Urushi for me at no cost, about 7-8 years ago.  As regards the centering of the cantilever in the cartridge body, I only wish all my other cartridges were as perfect in this regard as is my ART7.  I wouldn't think that would be a problem with main stream, high output, old line companies like AT, Denon, etc.

There is a listing for a AT50ANV Moving Coil cart in LP Gear website. The specs are very close to the ART 7 cart. Interesting!  Some A'goners might have used this one as well. 

https://www.lpgear.com/product/AT50ANV.html

The vendor also sells through Amazon. Currently listed in Amazon as well.

ART7 is about half the price and about as good, from what I've read about the ANV50 but others may know more about it.

@lewm ... you are absolutely right sire.

Too bad the ART 7 is not readily available in the US.

@dgarretson 

I can’t imagine other defects that might require exercise of warranty.

Grey market cartridges with fake serial numbers are not supported by the manufacturers when it comes to retip, refurbishing. The manufacturer support their official distributors.