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Audio Technica ART9 sounds awful

I have a new ART9, maybe 2 hours on it.  I used to run a Dynavector 10x5.  With the ART9 the bass is very tubby or exaggerated.  The soundstage is shifted to the left.  I never heard either situation from the 10x5...nor is it consistent with cd of same albums.  It really sounds terrible. 

I've checked the cartridge out and nothing looks out of the ordinary.  The vtf is set at 1.8...experimented with 1.7, 1.9 and 2.0 just to see.  No luck.  VTA has the arm visually level...I've experimented with different angles.  No luck.

Turntable:  Basis Audio 2001
Tonearm:   Basis Audio Vector III
Rogue Ares:  Phono stage (set at 100 ohms)

The system has not changed other than the cartridge.

Any suggestions or ideas about how to correct the problem?

Thx


safebelayer
lewm
13,030 posts
 
Safebelayer, Just to be sure you got the right idea from Almarg, me, and a few others, what we suggest is that one channel is 180 degrees out of phase with the other.  That condition can cause most of the symptoms you report. 

So, to check that problem, just reverse the speaker leads on ONE of the two channels, either one, leaving the other channel as is.  Perhaps you know this and have already tried it with no success, but it did occur to me that perhaps it wasn't clear.

For sure, no cartridge sounds its absolute best on day one, but not to the extent and with the peculiar symptoms that you report.

stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
If its a new cartridge as you state, send it back for exchange.  If you bought it used, send it to Soundsmith for an inspection. 
mreeter
8 posts
 
I purchased a "very low hour" used Art 9 from an individual, it showed the same symptoms as the OP cartridge, only it was heavy on the right channel.

I quadruple checked Azimuth and all settings, still the same results. It was a defect or misaligned stylus.

I contacted the seller immediately and retuned it that day.

Post removed 
safebelayer OP
66 posts
 
mreeter, I think your situation very much matched mine.  It's not a phase issue unless AT miss marked the posts.  I'll be sending mine back if the seller will accept it.

Thank you to all have offered help.
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