Phono Cartridge for $1,000.

Any MM cartridge can be loaded at 100k Ohm (instead of 47k Ohm) and it will be a huge upgrade, much "more airy" presentation and noticeable high frequency extension. At least worth to try as an alternative to 47k Ohm standard. 

Also MM cartridge can sound bad if the cable capacitance is not what was recommended by the manufacturer. Pay attention to the cables used for MM. 

Fremer's video tour at Excel Sound wasn't impressive for me, anyone can watch here. 

@fruitloopsr expect at least 1200 hours, the stylus type is AT's MicroLine (Special Line Contact) and dynamic compliance at 10Hz is about 30cu, weight is 8.5g so you can calculate everything here if you know VPI tonearm mass (i don't have this tonearm or this turntable). 

You can find authorized US dealers here

"Audio-Technica products are sold through our carefully selected authorized dealers. Verify before you buy. Only purchase A-T products online when you see this symbol, indicating an authorized dealer"

This is ART-9 with US one-year limited-end user warranty

*Make sure to ask a dealer regarding retipping,refurbishing or exchange program.

Hana is made by Excel Sound
ClearAudio MM motor is Audio-Technica

Go for Audio-Technica ART-9 LOMC via official distributor only if you want something better than your Clear Audio with the ability to service your Audio-Technica cartridge at the manufacturer in Japan (not by some third party vendor). When the needle is worn you can send your AT back to get new one for special price (instead of retipping).

Instead of those new cartridges you can always look for a NOS Dynavector KARAT 23RS with Ruby cantilever and MicroReach diamond and it will be amazing cartridge for about $600-800 max.

I faced a similar situation and was tried to decide among the A-T ART-9, Hana ML and Sumiko Blackbird.

Did you compare all 3 in your system before you made a choice ? 

LOL 

I was supposed to say that Sumiko should not be in this list at all. 
ART9 cost $990 from US dealers

Updated ART-9 called "ART-9XA" and released in June 19th, 2020 

The XA has the Air Core Coil

What is an "Air Core Coil" chakster? I’ve never heard that term.

The term is old
It's the opposite to an Iron Core

"Compared to the iron core type, which is the mainstream of MC cartridges, the air core type is not affected by magnetic distortion, so a natural tone color and precise sound field expression are possible" .

Another Air Core Coil type is an old Fidelity-Research FR-7fz for example 

For $700-900 this is the best cartridge in my opinion and this is MM.