Audio-Technica AT-ART9 phono cartridge

Pani,
Your time with the ART9 is encouraging. I am have been eliminating other contenders from my buy list and saving at least $700+ going with the ART9.

The ART9 just may be the cart that stays mounted on the VPI for more than a year.

Guess I will need to hit the "buy now" and report back.

I don't find my OC9III particularly fussy regarding setup, are you noticing anything requiring extra attention?

The only thing I find odd about AT carts are the lack of threaded holes in the body.

Oregonpapa, what I meant was the Dynavector 17D3 was not even comparable to the ARt9. It was far behind. By the way 17D3 is not neutral. It has a bit of a rosy midrange and it tries push music to your face. Not very elegant.

Tablejockey, regarding the setup, I just meant that the ART9 is more sensitive to setup than some of the other cartridges I have used (Miyabi, ZYX, Ortofon Kontrapunkt, Denon 103). The ART9 really rewards you when you make an adjustment in the right direction. For example I increased the anti-skate by just 1 slot on my SME tonearm and I heard a much more transparent presentation with clearer and tighter timing of notes. Similarly even a 0.5mm increase in VTA is audible. It is like playing with a high precision microscope.

BELOW IS THE ART-9 SPECS FROM THE AT WEBSITE. LOOKS AS IF IT HAS A 12OHM IMPEDANCE WHICH SHOULD WORK WELL WITH MY SUT. VERY INTERESTING, THANKS FOR THE TIP.
Specifications
Type: Magnetic Core Moving Coil
Frequency Response: 15 to 50,000 Hz
Channel Separation: 30 dB (1 kHz)
Channel Balance: 0.5 dB (1 kHz)
Coil Impedance: 12 W (1 kHz)
DC Resistance: 12 W
Force d’Appui: 1.6 à 2.0 g (standard 1.8 g)
Tracking Force: 1.6 to 2.0 g (standard 1.8 g)
Vertical Tracking Angle: 23 degrees
Recommended Load Impedance: Min 100 W
Coil Inductance: 25 mH (1 kHz)
Static Compliance: 35 x 10 – 6 cm / dyne
Dynamic Compliance: 18 x 10 – 6 cm / dyne (100 Hz)
Output Voltage: 0.5 mV (at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec)
Stylus Shape: Special Line Contact Stylus
Cantilever: 0.26 mm Ø solid boron
Stylus Construction: Nude square shank
Mount: 1/2” centers
Dimensions: 17.3 (H) x 17.0 (W) x 25.6 (L) mm
Weight: 8.5 g
Accessories: 1 non magnetic screw driver; 1 brush; 2 washers; 2 x 12 mm mounting screws; 2 Nuts; 2 x 18 mm mounting screws; 1 plastic protector; 1 set of PCOCC Lead Wires (AT6106)

Any new thoughts, buyer's remourse, etc. on this cart? I'm close to pulling the trigger and would appreciate an update. I see them on eBay for $950 from Japan & HK. Any experience with those vendors? Any consensus on ideal impedance. I see the spec at100>; and one recommendation at 120. 

All comments welcome.

Thanks,

wanders ...

No regrets at all. The cartridge is wonderful. Highly recommended. 

Sorry, no experience buying from Japan. Got mine from LP Tunes. 

Please let us know your experiences with the ART-9.