We heard the Art 9 compared to the Lyra Atlas. It is the same sound, just less. Neutral, timbre, but less quick, less bass, and less extension than Atlas. But much cheaper, at 1k or so. The Art 1000 is more expensive, and we could not hear it because the dealer had forgotten the SUT which is required to get it up to proper gain. We will soon get to hear it, probably in May or so. The UK Lampi distro is also the Audio technica distro, so we will hear it at dctom, audiophile bill, etc.