Clearaudio Maestro vs Ortofon Cadenza cartridge?

"Alignment" has to do first with the tonearm, not the cartridge. VTA and azimuth are a function of stylus shape, however. There is nothing odd about the styli on the ART9X cartridges, so far as I know. The ART7 got no special attention from me in terms of VTA or azimuth. Tonearm is parallel to the LP surface. If your phono stage has enough gain, I recommend the low output version of the new ART9X pairing. (Sorry I just cannot recall whether that is the Xi or the Xa.) I bought the ART7 over the original ART9 a few years ago, because of my own bias. The ART7 uses an amorphous core coil and has a very low output, 0.12mV. I think the low output version of the new 9X pair (which seems to be the replacement for the ART7) has a bit more output, would be easier to implement. The ART7 was a bit "clinical" sounding at first, very detailed but not very warm, or not as warm as real music. However, within about 20-30 hours it has become a real gem. I am using it on a Kenwood L07D, the OEM tonearm with an aftermarket carbon fiber headshell, into a 3160 J&R Phonolinepreamp, in balanced mode (which helps with gain and is dead quiet). Recognize that it is high in compliance compared to the typical LOMC, which is a plus. Anyway, don’t be put off the AT cartridges by fear of alignment difficulties. (Sounds like something a dealer would say, if he wanted to sell you something else.)

What better MM cartridge than Clearaudio's Maestro for €1.000 do you suggest? You only mention LOMC. But thank you for your advice.

German ClearAudio MM carts built around Audio-Technica generator supplied from Japan. Audio-Technica is one of the biggest cartridge manufacturers today, you can look at any AT cartridges (MM or LOMC) and it will be the most cost effective solution if you want to buy ONLY current models (not discontinued rare models with more exotic parts and better sound quality in case with MM).

ClearAudio has the worst construction with an unprotected cantilever that is really dangerous and extremely inconvenient in use. Also you can't change the stylus on this MM cartridge yourself which is also inconvenient (just like with any MC, you have to ship it to the factory when the stylus is worn out). 

For EUR 1000 you can buy exceptional (New Old Stock) cartridges to eclipse many more expensive modern LOMC. Generally speaking an MM cartridge was far more important for the high-end industry in the 80's than today. This is why those classic MM from the golden age of analog are so good. I have all type of cartridges (MM,MI,MF,HOMC,LOMC) as you can see in my system. 

    

I am only asking for an advice for a replace of the Clearaudio to a Cadenza cartridge. Now there’s many others options, that I have been told to check out - no advices for Cadenza. Apparently I must look away from my thoughts.

Instead I’ve been told, that I don’t have to hear Clearaudio, that AudioTechica is the generator behind Clearaudio, and Clearaudio has the worst construction of the unprotected cantilever. Things that I already know. But I’m happy for my Maestro, but just only need an advice for a Cadenza as a replacement - or maybe I should not.
  
I’ll keep focus.

kongensfelt,  I can't do a comparison with Clearaudio cartridges, but I have the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze on a Clearaudio Performance DC Wood table with the Clearaudio Tracer arm.  I love it.  It is fast, musical, balanced and remarkably quiet regarding LP noise.  It is a keeper in my system.

Thank you kingharold! It's a pleasure for me to know. I'm very close to get this beauty, or the Blue one :-/ I have read, that the Bronze is perfect for transistors, transistor phono preamp and transistor amplifier. That's what I have. Thank you for your feedback.