Price/Performance and LOMCs

[Paul1960]

I am a big fan of Andy Kim's retipped Denon DL-103. It costs about $600. In my system (VPI Super Scoutmaster, Allnic H3000) it beat out much more expensive cartridges including Ortofon Cadenza Bronze and Black, Koetsu Urushi Gold, And ART9XI and ART9XA. phonocartridgeretipping.com

 

[ssfas]

I am a big fan of Andy Kim's retipped Denon DL-103. It costs about $600. In my system (VPI Super Scoutmaster, Allnic H3000) it beat out much more expensive cartridges including Ortofon Cadenza Bronze and Black, Koetsu Urushi Gold, And ART9XI and ART9XA. phonocartridgeretipping.com

I was chatting with James Henriot when I bought one off his Whest phono stages. He's a big fan of the ART9XI and ART9XA.

 

[Paul1960]

I was chatting with James Henriot when I bought one off his Whest phono stages. He's a big fan of the ART9XI and ART9XA.

I personally like the ART9XI better than the ART9XA. The ART9XI is livelier, more dynamic, and just richer sounding. The ART9XA is more nuanced and has a bigger soundstage. Both are very good for the price. I like the modified DL-103 better than either. I also like the Cadenza Bronze or Koetsu Black better than either of the ART cartridges. At some point it probably just becomes a question of taste.

 

[Mendel]

I personally like the ART9XI better than the ART9XA. The ART9XI is livelier, more dynamic, and just richer sounding. The ART9XA is more nuanced and has a bigger soundstage. Both are very good for the price. I like the modified DL-103 better than either. I also like the Cadenza Bronze or Koetsu Black better than either of the ART cartridges. At some point it probably just becomes a question of taste.

I liked the ART9XI a lot as well. Unfortunately ATs trade in is not very easy in Canada, you have to send it to the U.S. and the trade in price was no bargain. May get mine retipped by an aftermarket service one day.
One great thing about Lyra is the trade in policy, easy to do through your dealer and the price is only about 1/2 what a new cartridge costs. Gone through two Delos and a Kleos so far. Something to seriously consider with a product whose life span is only about two years or so.