Audio Technica AT-ART9XA MC cartridge

Following the success of the Audio Technica AT-ART7 cartridge, the manufacturer comes back with a new high-end MC cartridge based on the latter, but with several upgrades.

The Audio Technica AT-ART9XA cartridge is a low output MC cartridge with dual moving coils aligned in an inverted V shape. Coils feature a Shibata stylus mounted on a boron cantilever.

AUDIO TECHNICA AT-ART9XA: TECHNOLOGY

The defining feature of this phono cartridge is the “Audio-Technica Reference Transducer” (ART).

Compared with the magnetic core used in most MC cartridges, the AT-ART9XA uses non-magnetic cores. Usually, conventional non-magnetic cores provide low output voltage, but Audio Technica managed to draw 0.2 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/s) from this technology.

This redesigned coil armature is free from magnetic distortion and allows for natural and precise sound reproduction.

AUDIO TECHNICA AT-ART9XA: BODY

The body is made of machined aluminium and high-rigidity PVC. This combination ensures perfect stability of the magnetic circuit and the stylus/cantilever assembly, providing high playback precision. The body features threaded cartridge mounting holes allowing easy installation on the headshell or the tonearm.

Coils are made of PCOCC (Pure Copper Ohno Continuous Cast). This high-purity conductor ensures resistance and colouration free signal.

Magnets are made of neodymium with permendur yoke to significantly increase magnetic energy and obtain an acceptable output level.

AUDIO TECHNICA AT-ART9XA: TESTING AND LISTENING

From the first few measures, we notice near zero surface noise and no distortion at all. This allows to highlight every single detail of the track, without pointing out the high end of the spectrum.

The high channel separation provides excellent sound quality and remarkable stereo image.

Like usual, the Shibata stylus ensures precise low frequency and mid-range reproduction, not to mention a high-rising treble without any distortion. Dynamic range and punch are remarkable.

The AT-ART9XA clearly tends towards neutrality and nuance rather than the romantic and coloured side some people enjoy. This MC cartridge is of great subtlety while offering a physical and bossy side if necessary.

This Audio Technica AT-ART9XA MC cartridge is surely the best phono cartridge proposed to this day by the Japanese manufacturer in terms of value for price!

Would recommend +++