Update on this: Did some final tweaks on VTA and VTF and am very satisfied with the results. Substantially better sound quality and tracking ability than the Pioneer PL-15 II I had been using as a second table. The ATC 440 does indeed perform well, especially now that the VTA is more correct (the arm had been set ~2 mm or so too high).
Longer term, I may either replace the stylus with the current 540 version or install an Ortofon OM with a new OM30 stylus I found scrounging through my stuff. The ATC has one serious design drawback for me: It is very hard to see the stylus during alignment. I recently developed a permanent visual impairment that makes cartridge alignment a special torture. The ATC design is one I could never align for myself now while Ortofon, vintage Grace and Grado remain feasible. Fortunately that's a decision I don't need to make anytime soon.
Longer term, I may either replace the stylus with the current 540 version or install an Ortofon OM with a new OM30 stylus I found scrounging through my stuff. The ATC has one serious design drawback for me: It is very hard to see the stylus during alignment. I recently developed a permanent visual impairment that makes cartridge alignment a special torture. The ATC design is one I could never align for myself now while Ortofon, vintage Grace and Grado remain feasible. Fortunately that's a decision I don't need to make anytime soon.