I’ve never had a problem with LP gear! |
You'd better ask them how LP Gear can help you if you wish to send your ART-9 back to the manufacturer when the stylus is worn (after 2000 hrs). This is the most important, if they can send it back to AT and you will get new cart with special discount then it's a proper service. This is what some big manufacturers like AT can do (instead of retip). |
I have no experience with LP Gear. But the fact that they do NOT post a telephone contact # is a turn off to me and one that I won’t buy from. I know the younger generation is phone conversation averse. But it took mankind thousands of years to develop that ability and going back to scrawling written massages to be the ONLY form of communication is one I won’t deal with. I don't mind texts & email. But when somethingf goes wrong (which is happening more often these days) I want to speak to someone, not type. Its much more efficient.
I am old school and have no desire to change and go backwards. YMMV. Best to you |
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OP let us know what you decide. A lot of wisdom in the Chak post IMO
best to you
Jim |
Get the ART9 from LP Gear.
Search and you find they are fine. I've purchased carts and belts via internet AND picking up a cart at their operation in Vegas.
If you haven't already gone thru the archives, the ART9 has reached "great buy" status. Enjoy. |
Personally, I have purchased multiple items from LP Gear over the years with zero issues. Highly recommended. |
Personally, I have purchased multiple items from LP Gear over the years with zero issues. Highly recommended.
Ditto. Excellent service. |
Purchased an AT couple of months ago. Good service shipped quickly, happy with cartridge |
lp gear is a good retailer, they will stand behind the products they sell
btw the art 9 is an excellent choice of cart... lovely sound, high compatibility, easy to set up and align |
@artemus_5, unfortunately, it does not do you much good to have a conversation with a computer. I'm 67. I really do not care what form the communication takes as long as the results are to my liking. I do hate going through computer menus. Email communications are frequently less stressful. No body is interrupted or missed. Many of us will not answer the phone unless we know who the caller is forcing the unknowns into the mailbox. |
Lp gear is great. I have ordered several times without issues. They are about the only ones that still offer the shure m97xe, which I happen to like, as well as the replacement stylus. |
I would spend the extra bucks for the latest version of ART9, whatever the alphanumeric designation. LP Gear is ok for this purchase IMO. I’d be careful buying a replacement stylus for MM cartridge from them however. Read the fine print. |
AR lists that model as discontinued. But there is always the pipeline that lags in supply. The other models you listed are the updated models.
Have you listened to the ART9?
This series is intriguing, and from a major manufacturer. I may try the XA and/or XI.
I’m an old Signet TK10ML user, and a spare styli waiting to install soon.
However, a new phono-pre is due here soon, so may wait on that.
To the OP, I have no experience as yet. |
+1 to. tomic601
Nobody wants to deal with international shipping and receiving, even for a small box. |
I really appreciate all the responses. Despite the fact that LP Gear's website still states that they have the Audio Technica ART9 for sale when I finally got a return e-mail from them this afternoon it stated that they do not have it. I think that I will avoid them in the future. I really dislike not being able to call a merchant with whom considering doing business
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Again, it’s not a big deal to buy a cartridge, every dealer can sell a new cartridge if they got it in stock. The real problem is how this dealer can help his buyer when a cartridge stylys is worn out, if the dealer can ship it back to the manufacturer to get a new one (or next model) with special discount then it’s the real dealer. Manufacturer support their customers via their dealers, with MC cartridge you have no choice when it’s worn, for AT’s MicroLine stylus profile it’s about 2000 hrs and then your stylus tip is worn. Manufacturer will not accept a cartridge from you or from your grey market dealer, but they will accept a worn cart from their official distributor in your country amd their dealers. The benefit is about 40% discount for a new (next) cart if you send your first (worn) back. |
@kingharold
"I really appreciate all the responses. Despite the fact that LP Gear’s website still states that they have the Audio Technica ART9 for sale when I finally got a return e-mail from them this afternoon it stated that they do not have it. I think that I will avoid them in the future. I really dislike not being able to call a merchant with whom considering doing business."
The same thing happened to me when I tried to purchase an AT VM760SLC cart. I did eventually find a phone number for them. It may have been on the Better Business Bureau website. I think it was the owner’s cell phone. I avoid them unless there is something I really want that nobody else has. |
I had had a shipping issues with them many years ago. When Needle Dr. closed there doors, I started using them again. I've had zero issues with them since. The issue I had with them was shipping cost for 10 miles same city. I wanted to pickup the cartridge and not pay $8.95 for shipping. I'd done it before with him but this one time I never got a reply to my email request for pick-up. By the time I started doing business with him again, free shipping for over....... was free, issue solved.
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There’s no phone number to talk to a human being.There’s also no way to click on an item to put it in your cart.I’m not fond of a company like that. |
I bought a TT belt from them once, never again. Received totally wrong belt and ended up loosing belt price, taxes and 2 times shipping as they claimed not to have received returned belt. I would find another vendor ! |
IMHO, LP Gear sux. They shipped me a defective belt and wouldn't replace it. They apologize by email and do nothing to resolve. Never again.
Art9 is a great cart! Cheers,
Spencer |
