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AudioTechnica ART 9 users - break in, VTF/VTA and loading questions

Just received my new AT ART 9 -- sounds damn good right out of the box... but just thought I would check in with others already using this cart for some time...

- what is break in time you experienced for the sound to ’settle in’?
- what VTF worked well for you? I am at 1.95 grams.
- what VTA works best? I’ve started at usual slight tail-down setting
- what loading does it like best? I am at 1000 ohms

Just for context, my table is VPI Classic 2E with JMW 10.5 CF arm in VTF tower, into an Ayre P5XE.

Initial reaction is very very smooth, sophisticated sound, with a little more life and sparkle up top than the Koetsu Black I have been using previously. Midrange very very sweet and lifelike and bass is strong. Maybe just a touch more groove noise with AT...  

Differences are pretty much what I have been hoping for... Koetsu really lovely, just a little somber/romantic.

Will develop opinions of spatiality/imaging etc etc after more hours running.

Thanks in advance.
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dhjohnson
10 posts
 
I'm running my ART9 on a Technics SL-1200G. It is mounted to an Audio Technica MG-10 magnesium headshell.  I set the tracking force to 1.8g per AT's recommendation. The cartridge seems to be level at the "0" tonearm height setting.  Is there anyone here running this same setup? If so, could you share your settings for VTF and tonearm height?

Thanks!
knollbrent's avatar
knollbrent
521 posts
 
How many hrs can be played with ART 9?
luckytage
5 posts
 
I’m running my ART9 on a Technics SL-1200G. It is mounted to an Audio Technica MG-10 magnesium headshell. I set the tracking force to 1.8g per AT’s recommendation. The cartridge seems to be level at the "0" tonearm height setting. Is there anyone here running this same setup? If so, could you share your settings for VTF and tonearm height?

Thanks!
dhjohnson I am running the Art9 with the 1200G and a Yamamoto Soundcraft HS-6 Titanium Headshell with the tracking force set to 1.8g at 100 ohm with a Manley Chinook SE set to 60db sounds amazing at about 50 hours so far. I have set the tonearm height to 0 myself and used -0 setting. So far using the stock mat and plan on a Herbies mat 4mm, 285mm diameter. I was using a Dynavector 17D3 with the 1200G and I must say I maybe losing just a little wider sound stage now but I think the Art 9 will open up way more and sound better.
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