AT OC9 XEB?

Op
For $358 go with the oc9/ii.
If you can stretch the budget a small amount that is.

Thanks for the advice  Chakster.

My thinking is just having a $300 cheapie
like the small tire car manufacturers provide as the spare.

@tablejockey i'm pretty sure on MM/MI territory you can find a better cheap cartridge, especially on vintage MM/MI territory. If you can double your budget you will probably find a better alternative to your ART9, that can be not just back up but an equal contender. 

The EXB is being considered simply on cost. I knew before reading the specs it would have cost appropriate features.

This is just a backup, while waiting on my main cart. I'm going to look at some MM's also.

The LP Gear is a strange source, they are always selling some styli that does not looks like an original styli (obvious for those who have the originals). 

Now even their description for a cartridge has nothing to do with reality, everyone can see on the picture of OC9XEB cartridge that it has the cheapest aluminum cantilever. But as Bimasta pointed out (see above), in the description on their site (Oct.3) they think that this models comes with "boron cantilever for accurate tracing and transient response". Very unprofessional for online store specialized in cartridges. Especially when the stylus tip is not "Nude Line Contact" as they stated on the front page, but the cheapest Bonded Elliptical. But what do you expect for $239 from a new MC cartridge ? 

At the price LP Gear is selling the oc9/ii at right now , just $358, it has to be on top of anybodies want list.
Heck I may just have to buy one!

But why an MC if you need only for limited time and it's not primary replacement?