Best MM?

@dhcod

I’m surprised the "highish" compliance 2M Black is working so well in your "heavyish" tonearm. If my math is correct the RF is in the danger zone at 7Hz.

I’m also surprised at all the recs here touting high compliant carts that are much better suited to lighter arms than your SME.

If I were to disregard compliance matching and make such a rec, I’d say consider the Cartridge Man Music Maker. Best high output cartridge I’ve ever heard. Haven’t dabbled in the vintage cart world, but I have owned and heard many of the recs made here. The CMMM slays all of them in terms of saturated tonal colors, image density and plain ol’ musicality and "you are there" involvement.

Although a bit on the springy side, it is fantastic on my medium mass OL Encounter Mk3c and Rega RB300 (BritAudio re-wire) arms.

.

There are some marvelous cartridges in the 1K price range;




    https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/music-maker-ii-cartridge


    http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/mmaker/mmaker.html

I have no idea what "the best" is, but I installed a 2M Black on my brother in law's VPI Prime, and it sounds awesome for the price. Which is half your budget.

I would make the MI / MM short list from best on top

Blue Electric Shake Streamliner

ADC TRX-2 >TRX-3

ADC Astrion

AKG P-8 Aidas mods.

Elac ESG 796

Elac EMC

Denon DL-107

Decca Reference

SoundSmith Voice

GZM Korvet -008

I would have to go thru possibly dozens of vintage cartridges to determine which one I like most with Nottingham table/arm. It is such a pain to change cartridges in that arm because the wires are so thin. Besides, I would have to have them all at the same time. 
Stating that any particular vintage cartridge would sound better in any set-up for any taste is not quite right.
Chakster, which vintage cartridge would you recommend for me if you are familiar with Nottingham ? $400 or $1000 no difference if it's worth it.