Audio-Technica AT-ART9XA Dual Moving Coil Cartridge

I must stress that this phono cartridge has the POTENTIAL to be the absolute best at this price point and to be as good as many 4 or 5 times its price as it betters my previous cartridge which was 7k list. The only caveat is that the output of this cartridge is much lower than average which means one's phono preamp much have sufficient gain in order to do the ART9xa justice. I would not recommend this cartridge for a phono preamp with less than 65db gain; most max out at 60 on the moving coil setting, so the higher output ART9xi would be the better choice assuming both sound similar properly set up for either. That I don't know, but I do know I have not had a better sound from my vinyl rig since the Audio Technica ART9XA became a part of it. That's the audiophile truth!

Everything sounds good. I have tried many cartridges in the last few months. This is the most balanced. I spent the extra 3-400 and this won't disappoint. I'm listening to albums and enjoying pressings I thought were harsh. This is on a Technics SL1200 MK2, Marantz PM14S1, Dynaudio Special 40

After reading reviews, it seemed like this was the cartridge to get. I was just hoping it was at least as good as my Dynavector 17D II. Turns out it was surprisingly better. I was blown away. Anyway, at this price point, I'm not sure if you can do better.

Huge improvement over MM cartridge. My first MC and I wouldn't be looking back