Audio Technica ART9 sounds awful


I have a new ART9, maybe 2 hours on it.  I used to run a Dynavector 10x5.  With the ART9 the bass is very tubby or exaggerated.  The soundstage is shifted to the left.  I never heard either situation from the 10x5...nor is it consistent with cd of same albums.  It really sounds terrible. 

I've checked the cartridge out and nothing looks out of the ordinary.  The vtf is set at 1.8...experimented with 1.7, 1.9 and 2.0 just to see.  No luck.  VTA has the arm visually level...I've experimented with different angles.  No luck.

Turntable:  Basis Audio 2001
Tonearm:   Basis Audio Vector III
Rogue Ares:  Phono stage (set at 100 ohms)

The system has not changed other than the cartridge.

Any suggestions or ideas about how to correct the problem?

Thx


safebelayer

Showing 2 responses by ps68

As per many others, my Art9 sounded right from new; then got better. Clearly something is amiss with the OP's Art9 which is unfortunate; but hopefully it can be resolved without issue. It is worth checking the stylus with a strong magnifying glass to ensure it looks correct and that the diamond is clean and clear, no glue etc.. This is critical to top performance, so I check mine every LP as my headshell is removeable.