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MC cartridge input - Lyra Delos or AT Art9 (or higher AT)

I have a well isolated MMF9.1 Turntable with a highly revealing downstream system with Classe power and Dynaudio C1s and a subwoofer.  It sounds great with the old (came with the used table) Lyra Argo cart.  I am looking at upgrading.  I like the great imaging and air that I get with the Lyra cart.  It blows away my digital efforts.  I am thinking of switching to a new cart so I can track the age and condition and get an upgrade at  same time.  I am thinking of either getting a Lyra Delos or a Audio Technica ART9 or similar AT cart.  I was wondering if anyone has heard a ART 9 (or the anniversary editions in price range of Delos) and compared it to the Delos.  How would you characterize the sound comparison.  I play mostly pop, rock and folk.  i have scoured the internet but found little to hang my hat on.
ryanvt
11 responses Add your response
tablejockey
3,890 posts
 
Have read this thread already?

Morr insoght on the ART 9.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/pani-new-art-9-up-and-running
ryanvt OP
25 posts
 
Thanks tablejockey.  I had seen this and it was partly why I am interested in the ART9.  I was just looking for any more direct comparisons for the well reviewed Delos, and the ART9 that has minimal coverage.  I have not had a Lyra Clavis or any of the others mentioned.
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,497 posts
 
I would say go with what you know. You like Lyra a lot? stay on that path and you cant go wrong IMO. The Lyra and the ART are going to sound different, not one better then another, so why jump to something you may regret later when you know the Delos is what your ears want.

Matt M
ryanvt OP
25 posts
 
Solid advice Matt, and that is certainly where I will go if my research shows AT is less accomplished for a similar rig, at the same or less price point.  Just wondered if the economy of scale and advanced design claims could be what is causing some of the buzz. I will be with the cart for a while and want to get any A/B type input.  Difficult though as AT does not market their full catalog equally. 
tablejockey
3,890 posts
 
Price difference between the 2 is significant, so comparing the 2 may not be ideal. Having heard both, the "value" cart is the ART 9.

Subjectively, the 9 more neutral. Delos has the " focus" knob turned up a  couple notches. Also the "tint" bumped. TV  analogy is the best I can describe difference. 

Cost difference was the deal breaker when I was seriously leaning toward Delos, which at the time was $ 1600.
ryanvt OP
25 posts
 
That is very helpful tablejockey - thank you.
enobenetto
67 posts
 
Is the Art9 just a fancier Oc9iii? It uses the magnets, yoke and coils from the OC9iii I believe. If so, then what is original about the Art9?
invictus005
597 posts
 
Had all of those cartridges, my recommendation is Ortofon 2M Black. It’s visceral and a spiritual experience. 
soundermn's avatar
soundermn
344 posts
 
I don't know the Delos.  But, I do have an ART9 and love it.  Considering the price is almost double, I'd go with the ART9 again.  I upgraded from Blue Point #2, then Dynavector 10x5, and the ART is significantly better than those.  I'm sure the Delos could be another step forward, but at a cost of $800 extra, I'm unlikely to really find out.  Law of diminishing returns applies.
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
ryanvt ...

I’m still enjoying my ART-9. Very musical, detailed in an organic way ... and never calls attention to itself. Human voice is very life-like and reach out and touch it. Like the AT OC9 MKIII, it plays mono records superbly too. For a retail price of under 1k these days, its a bargain for such a giant killer.

I haven’t heard the Delos, but I did own the Clavis for a few years. Both the ART-9 and the Clavis are real killers on piano. Like they say, get the piano right and the rest will follow suit.

The ART-9 is every bit as good as the Clavis was, and then some. The ART-9 doesn't have the typical rising top end of most MC's ... and that's a plus if you're interested in accuracy.

Frank
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
Please be aware that the Delos can take a while to run in so if you go that route, be prepared for that.  One thing i will say is I have never heard a cartridge track like the Delos in all my years of listening to vinyl which are a lot.  I would say it has to be one of the best ever in that category for sure.  You will not have any problems listening to old forgotten records with it.  you may rediscover your collection.
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