OP here again, I’m well past the 40hr mark on time logged with the ART20 so thought it was a good time to switch carts and install my beloved Grado Aeon3. Made the changes including swapping tubes to compliment the warmer tone of the Grado (with the ART20 I use primarily NOS Mullards, with the Grado Mazdas and Telefunkens).
And the headline: You don’t know what you don’t know.
What does that mean? Well, as mentioned I used to LOVE the Grado. But something nagged at me that maybe there was more to audio life than such a lush presentation, and thanks to the help via this thread I arrived at the ART20. I had just today received a pristine 1st UK pressing of Led Zep Physical Graffiti and played side one with the AT, then switched to the Grado and replayed side one. In short, I immediately missed the AT. The Grado suddenly felt slow, bloated in the mids, the punch was gone, no where as airy, no where as exciting to listen to, On the plus side it offers perhaps better dimension but only slightly. I couldn’t wait to go back to the AT! Once the side was over I immediately made the switch back and was happy again.
Naturally I could have sat longer with the Grado and let it’s charms win me over but I’m SO enjoying the ART20 I figure why interrupt that enjoyment. I’m astonished at how my perception has changed and what fulfills me now. I will say the Mullards plus keeping the loading at 100 (I tried 200 and things got too sharp/bright for me) are key to making this cart sing in my system.
Now I’m thinking of selling the Grado and finding another cart to compliment the AT! I might start a thread on that soon.