MC suggestions

How about Soundsmith Sussaro MK2, last generation on sale at various web outlets. It’s definitely a keeper for me having had several Benz LPS in rotation for a while. It has all of the superlatives you described that you wanted. 

@lewm

By all accounts, the original MC2000 bears an aluminum cantilever with a "fine line" tip. That’s another way of saying "line contact". According to our friend, Nikola, Axel had a small supply of actual original alu cantilevers with "fine line" styli he obtained from the same suppliers that made the MC2000 cantilever/stylus for Ortofon.

Interesting, then you are safe and maybe close to the original, but still not there.

The original stylus called a Symmetrical Contact Line (SLC) diamond. This is NOT a Fine Line diamond, because in the booklet that i have with my original MC2000 they are comparing a "footprint" of different profiles including FineLine. The "footprint" (as they call it) of FineLine is not completely symmetrical, so the typical FineLine is inferior compared to Ortofon Symmetrical Contact Line (SLC). This is why i said this is a special profile.

Why the cantilever is special? This cantilever is not like any conventional ortofon aluminum cantilever, not like on any other ortofon cartridges.

The Meff value for the Ortofon MC2000 is 0.27 mg. A minimum value. It was achieved quite simply by finding the optimal cantilever length (6.15 mm), and utilizing the correct materials for moving system: an extremely light and stiff aluminum cantilever or conical shape, one of the world’s tiniest diamonds, and diminutive cross-shaped aluminum armature. The legs of the cross are hollow which has allowed for mass reduction of 66% in relation to traditional armature design.

There are much more technical details about this cartridge in the original booklet. I want to remind everyone that Boron was available for Ortofon in the 80’s, but for some reason MC2000 was designed with special aluminum cantilever.

Personally i don’t care about VdH or any other retipers, anyone can buy their own cartridges instead of messing around with refurbishing a special original design made by some other clever designers. Vintage cartridges are valuable ONLY in its original design and in NOS condition.

I don’t believe in the statement that retippers can make any cartridge better than the original. If it’s true averyone can buy a destroyed garbage without stylus/cantilever to refurbish them believing they are better than the original. It makes no sense for me at all.

Some other cartridges with aluminum cantilever are absolutely spectacular, like the FR-7fz or Miyabi MCA for example.

@fourwnds 
I'm wondering how you loaded you Grado Statement Reference? The low output Statement series needs to be loaded at 47k, just like the high output Reference series. I hope I got that one right, as Grado surely has the most confusing nomenclature in all of audio.

I owned a Statement v1 (or should that be a Statement Statement?). This system had a gorgeous tonality which I liked quite alot. But my current MC phono amp has 1000 ohm as the highest load for MC. In this setting the Statement sounds somewhat dark and lifeless, just as you described. So you really need to load it at 47k to hear it as intended.

That said, if you want to try a new low output low impedance MC I suggest you try Phasemation. The PP-300 at ca. $1800 and the PP-500 at ca. $2500 are within your price range. This recommendation is based on my experience with the P-3G (predecessor of the PP-300), which can compete nicely with much more expensive systems.
It is both heavy and low compliance, so it prefers a heavy gun (i.e. a relatively high effective mass tonearm). Mounted on the FR-64fx it delivers a wonderfully rich tonality and refinement within a powerful and lively presentation. The very high mass FR-64S is an even better companion.

I just purchased a Kiseki Blue after auditioning cartridges at my local dealer. They recommend four different cartridges that they thought would work well with my system. They mounted the ones that weren't already on demo turntables and we compared, with the Kiseki coming out on top in my opinion due to its clarity, depth and warmth.

Grado is a brand they carry but was not one they recommended for my price point and equipment which is Atma-Sphere, Wilson Audio and REL

@edgewear 

I worked with Bill at LKV to get the gain at 47k up to wear it needed to be to support a 1mv output from my Statement Reference v.2 

Didn't mean to imply it was dark and lifeless necessarily, it certainly is not that.  But, I want more ya know.  Thank you for your suggestion of the Phasemation, they are new to me!

@audiorusty. That is really nice gear you have and I'm not surprised that Grado wasn't recommended.  It does seem like MC's are the default.  Maybe for good reason, although given my experience up to this point  I don't get it.  But, I'm willing to try again at a higher price point and maybe that is where I'll find myself coming around.

Thanks again everybody, this is all very helpful and FUN!