Cartridge Upgrade ...AT ART-9?

Orto tends to get sibilant in certain arms/set-ups as can be read online in other forums. Buy a (vintage) Moving Flux instead, like GLANZ MFG-51L.
ART9 is a magnificent performer but needs 200 hours to really sing IME and THEN it´s very hard to "beat". Save that cart up-grade fund, including possibly better Shelter, for better TT. It´s ALWAYS worth to improve TT first, then cartridge. Only better TT can dramatically improve your system. Period.

 ^^ Old hat wars again :_)

Raul, your post was meant to be some other as I never have talked ´bout Technics cartridges. I agree that ART7 may very well be even better than ART9 because it´s very low output 0.12 mV. But it needs a very HQ preamp to get the best out it. For OP it´s better to stay with ART9, first upgrade his deck, then cartridge. Besides, I doubt that ART7 is better than a vintage LOMC say Highphonic in that very low level 0.12 mV. 

Raul, I have one Highphonic too. How is yours characteristics compared to ART7´s, emphasis on brighter or lower side or something else ?

 I wouldn´t let my ART9 retipped by them. He will enlighten you I believe.

Didn´t I tell you that Chakster knows it. Audio-Technica´s business seems to be in the same, highest level as Soundsmith´s and that is absolutely fantastic. If it really is true that they send you a new cartridge for reduced, actually ridiculous price ? Peter Ledermann´s is one of the very few is the business who takes it very seriously what he is offering for his customers. His passion is love for cartridges (music) since age of about four and secondly business (money). A true artist in every aspect.
But he cannot make an ART9 better but different and close at best.
He´s one of the very few genius´ but not a magician.