Best MM?

Thanks for the thoughts. Anyone have any experience with an Audio Note IO3?

Its so crazy that there’s no way to try out any of these cartridges before you buy.

 I used to have a Virtuoso Wood but IMHO the Zephyr is a better tracking and sounding cart.

Good to know. What's your phono preamp if I may ask?

$1500 will buy one a London Super Gold. It's a Moving Iron, not Moving Magnet, producing an output voltage of 5mV! The Herron phono amp has enough headroom to handle the London's unusually high output; not all do. The cartridge is not for everyone, but offers an extremely dynamic, visceral, exciting sound.

I wish! My SME M2-12R and the London don't play well together. I was really bummed when I found that out.

Budget, FYI, is up to $1500. 

I guess it's just going to be trial and error.... starting with either the Audio Note IO3 or the Clearaudio Maestro V2 Ebony.

Amazon sells the 2M Black so I can return it if I don’t like it!

Thanks for all the advice! 2M Black is what you are all saying, ridiculously good... even after only 2 hours of listening.

I started this process because my Lyra Delos was either broken or worn out or something. Turned out it was just dirt on the cantilever so the dealer is sending it back to me, good as half-new. It's going to be an interesting comparison because while I expect the Lyra to resolve way better, there's something about both of the MMs that I've listened to so far that's missing from the Lyra. 

I will say, I do think I've found the bass I've been missing!

It's lovely. Without comparing, I'd agree it has drive life and holography but the Delos may have more timbre in voices and acoustic instruments but that's just my memory. I'll know more this weekend. There's nothing more I'd like to do than get out of the high priced mc world!

What arm do you use with your 2M?

Does the Charisma V2 have a replaceable stylus?

Thanks chakster, that was really interesting!

The guy I bought my Audio Note IQ3 from said "stop listening with your wallet!" Much appreciated.

Where does one get a replacement stylus for a Victor X1II?

Thanks but I was just curious. For that matter where do you get an ADC stylus?

Update: Have been using Ortofon 2M Black while waiting (forever) for an Audio Note IQ3 to arrive and have been really enjoying it. Bought a Signet TK7E today with the TKN14 stylus for my uncle for Christmas and decided to mount it. Haven't stop listening since. I'm pretty sure I like it better than the 2M Black. Better bass and vocals are cleaner and warmer. Doesn't handle busy passages quite as well but also overall less edgy. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to find him a replacement gift.

I was wrong. The 2M Black is clearly better in my system. Had some people over for listening. Compared the TK7E with their second best stylus the TKN14 and the Grace F9E and the 2M Black and it was clear to all that the 2M Black was superior. No dissenters.