The OC9 is definitely not a step up from the Denon, at best it is a step sideways, being more focused on the high frequencies. In fact, I'm not certain it is possible to step up from the Denon, as it excels in PRaT, and musical excitement which no MC in my experience can match. For detail and absolute frequency extension it can be bettered, and other "flavours" can be had, like the tubey midrange of Koetsus or the blinding speed of the Dynavector 17D MKII. You'll have to look higher than the OC9 for a definite step up, and given the incredible sound quality of the Denons, you'll have to spend a LOT more, and still....The OC9 sounds good on an extreme high-mass turntable (like a large idler-wheel drive or the old Maplenoll air-bearing turntables), the extra gravitas in the bass bringing with it a fleshing-out of the OC9's tonal thinness to make it a superb cartridge. This is a case of the cart coming before the horse ;-), as it requires buying a new tunrtable to maximize a cartridge!! But the same can be done for the superb Denons.
Audio-Technica OC9 Cartridge, Your Impressions.
I see the old reviews for this moving coil cartridge and they are all raves. It can now be had for $278.00, how does it compare to the newer cartridges in sound that have come along in the last 15 or so years. I am thinking of upgrading from my Denon DL-103r. Has anyone had a chance to listen to them both?