AT-OC9XMLvs AT-OC9XSH

I am not interested in moving iron / moving magnet carts.  My listening preferences are strongly in favor of LOMC carts.  My Herron VTPH-2a works GREAT with LOMC carts even though it also is outstanding with HOMC carts.  

The ART7 sounds interesting, but I have concerns about its very low output of 0.12mv.  Not sure how that would work with the Herron phono stage.  I have more gain available with the Herron VTSP-3a(r03).

I guess I am a bad person for daring to mention the Nagaoka. I did so only because it occurred to me that the US prices are close to the same. Meantime I did introduce the ART7 to this discussion. If the output is too low, one might search for an NOS ART9.

@lewm 

I don't consider that mention bad.  

I looked up the NOS availability of both the 7 and the 9.  Seems both are still around and at a nice price.  

I recall the discussions related to the ART7 and ART9.  I don't recall the details.  One was supposed to have better dynamics than the other.  One was supposed to provide better detail that the other.  One was supposed to be preferred for classical music, the other for jazz and rock.

Can anyone recall the distinctions?

You would be moving from a 5th Gen moving coil to more modest, albeit impeccably executed design. Still, I can't imagine you'd be happy with the results. A-T carts aren't really known for the two characteristics you mention - dynamics and soundstage. If the replacement cost is the issue, then I'd consider a Hana ML. In my personal experience, and in every review I've read, Hana carts are extreme overachievers, easily comparable to anything 3X-5X their price.