Help in deciding between these two cartridges for an upgrade

LP Tunes has the Art-9 for sale at $999.00. Its a great cartridge that performs way over its price point. I loved mine until the cleaning lady snagged it with her dust cloth ... after I told her not to touch anything beyond the speakers.
https://lptunes.com/collections/cartridges-hifi/products/audio-technica-at-art9-phono-cartridge?vari...

Whoops ... I just noticed that LP Tunes is sold out of the ART-9s. Sorry.

Frank

@nmmusicman Well, that is a good way for me to redirect my funds to a patio and leave the stereo alone!  You know, I have been having my doubts over the weekend since I did love the move to the Benz.  It was a $1600 cartridge new so I am basically in the same price bracket here.  I understand that a different design could offer someone advantages even at a lower cost and I will never know that until I try something else.  

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.  I learned of a couple more nice options here from your input so now it is on me to decide.

The new Benz Micro’s with the MR stylus is downright killer. I have a Wood SL MR running into a Sutherland Little Loco that slays my Soundsmith Sussorro mk ll. 
Of course, once one jumps off the voltage gain phone stages and converts to current gain stages all the fiddling with loading/gain goes out the window and a new panorama opens up. 

"I heard the differences/improvements as I climbed the phono ladder to end up at an Audio Research REF Phono 2 prior to getting the GSi75."

dhite75-

My guess is your existing setup is very good as is. If you keep AT carts in your final choices, the ART 9XA is the way to go if you have 62 or higher MC gain. If not the XI @.5mv is the alternative.  . AT carts to my ears have the entire sonic spectrum turned a couple notches up. If your system needs that AT definitely should be considered. I use both.

Kiseki to my ears is closer to having an overall tone control at the middle detent on a classic tubed receiver from the 50/60's if that's your taste. That's mine.

No bad move either way in my experience. I have all all tube(integrated)  to speakers as you, just separate phono.

@tablejockey

Yep, I am using the integrated's phono section.  I heard the differences/improvements as I climbed the phono ladder to end up at an Audio Research REF Phono 2 prior to getting the GSi75.  I also had a REF 3 and REF 150 to round out that system.  I considered keeping the REF2 Phono but honestly was shocked that I didn't hear much of an improvement compared to the on-board phono.  It still surprises me and I would like another listen, but that is long gone.  I suspect one day I will return to separates but likely several years away.  Trying out another phono would make sense as I would have that head start on the move back to separates.  The REF 2 was gone by the time I got the RP10 + Apheta 3 so only heard that from the on-board phono.  

@rauliruegas

Thanks, I have always heard nice things about those cartridges but they are a stretch.  I mentioned $2k not as a budget but as the MSRP of those I was targeting.  I hadn't considered the AT brand, but will take a closer look.

@verdantaudio

Noise issues are a nightmare...good to know and hopefully that was an isolated issue with that particular cartridge.

Dear @dhite71 :  All these are very good alternatives for your excellent system you own, yes some over your 2K target

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa8gdg-van-den-hul-colibri-xgp-lw-new-cartridges

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa9gca-van-den-hul-colibri-stradivarius-xgw-koa-wood-cartridges

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa9c0j-ortofon-cadenza-black-mc-cartridge-new-cartridges

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9a2i7-benz-micro-lp-s-cartridges


Next cartridge by AT is way way better quality performer that what its humble price can " tells ".

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at-art9xa


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

I had noise issues with a Cadenza Blue on a Rega table.  There was a hum that is not present on my current AVM table and wasn't present on my Art Audio table so it is definitely not the phono stage of cartridge.  Just thought I would mention this issue.  Not sure if it was a systemic issue or just something with my table and cartridge but thought I would mention it.  

dhite71-

If you do have the P10, I would ensure playing ANY cartridge is being presented in its best light-phonostage at the MAX of your audio budget.

After that, If I were in the Rega camp, ALL in with the Aphelion. Yeah, $5K but if you’re commited to Rega(P10) that just what you do!

I’m wondering if a different(tubeor SS, im a tube fan)phonostage would have gave you a different perspective on the first experience with the Apheta. Or perhaps it wasn’t the latest iteration? We audiophools have too much choice! Good luck.

Late edit:

I took a peek at your setup. Nice simple layout and solid gear. I'm assuming you're using the onboard phono section, so perhaps other with experience will chime in on just how much more a stand alone phono stage will bring out of your final choice.

@tablejockey 
I am glad you mention the Apheta!  I forgot I actually got a very low hour Apheta 3 with my RP 10. I already had the Benz for several months and was used to that sound and tried  the Apheta. It was very bright to me and I didn’t care for it so sold it while it was still at its peak value to help offset the upgrade of the RP 10. From your experience this would push me towards the Kiseki. 

I am presently using a Kiseki Blue.

Great cartridge, but depending on what type of "sound" you like there may be others at a more sane price-less than the current $ 2100 retail price. I found a used one for a realistic price. If your thinking about that Blue listed for $1300, that's IMO a fair price.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa6acc-kiseki-blue-n-s-brand-new-cartridges

To my ears it is on the price/performance level of the Audio Technica ART9 for $1.2K. Comparing the 2-ART9 is more AT detailed, in your face. Kiseki Blue presents a warmer, refined sound.

I would also consider the Soundsmith model in your budget. The plus is you will be able to send it back for rebuild.

Why not consider the Apheta? A lot less audiophool worry. Just mount the cart and GO!

@drrsutliff  I have not tried arm spacers on my Rega tables.  I have trusted their philosophy that as long as the cartridge body is fairly parallel and the rear is not angled down to actually make contact with the record then you are okay.  Both my Eroica and Benz are taller cartridges compared to the Exact 2 yet have remained in good positions.  As they state, this is a very controversial subject so there may be something to be gained that I am unaware.  Pictures can be deceiving but the Ortofon design does appear rather tall to potentially create the need of an adjustment.  I appreciate that insight regarding the Cadenza.

I have owned the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze and currently have a Kiseki Purple Heart in my cartridge rotation. I have listened to a Kiseki Blue also.  With the Bronze and its Replicant 100 stylus I found it responded well to very minor changes in SRA adjustment. The Rega arms can use spacers on their mounting base for SRA adjustment, I believe, but not sure this is going to allow you to maximize the Bronze.  The Kiseki cartridges stylus shape (line contact) is not quite as sensitive to this area of setup, but can also benefit.  Both excellent cartridges.  I did wear out the Bronze enjoying every minute of it and sent it back to the factory for a complete rebuild once.  Not as inexpensive as a SoundSmith rebuild...

Thanks for that option, MC

I had been focused on the other two due to the nice deals from Kron here on Agon.  I simply cannot pay retail for most anything, especially high-end audio components.  

After reading Michael's review, I actually stumbled across a unique option to pick up a new Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC for $1400.  I just may go for it!  The rebuild option for $350 really is a nice bonus to essentially have years and years with that design for minimal cost long term.

I would totally go with the Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC https://sound-smith.com/cartridges/fixed-coil/zephyr-mimc-%E2%98%86Fremer loved the earlier version. The new one incorporates a lot of improvements notably to the body and with the new DEMS design to enable azimuth adjustment on any arm.
https://www.analogplanet.com/content/soundsmith%E2%80%99s-new-zephyr-mimc-star-cartridge-luxury-you-...