Which MM Cartridge for under a grand

with your very cool set up, I would suggest a Shure V15 VxMR. If you can find the body only with no stylus even better. You will want to replace the stylus with a new stylus from JICO of Japan.

This is a great combo, and a great cartridge needle combo. I bought one for a vintage table, and sold the table but kept the Shure and use it all of the time.

It's a great cartridge for rock music. Tons of weight and impact to the music.

Enjoy

I think it's more like a certain type of music from a particular era, might be better served with something else?

In this case I don't agree, depending on what change 33off is looking for. I bought a lot of rock LP's in the late '60 and '70's. Many of them had good SQ. Seems to me an early pressing of Elton John, James Taylor, Hendrix, and many others were pretty good. The ones that are too bright will also sound better with that stylus, as will most copies with wear.

I have a 440ML OCC. I used to load it at 32K to get a balanced sound. With an ATN150MLX it smooths out like a baby's ass and it's back to 47K. Sure, you get all kinds of detail, harmonics, layering etc that's great for acoustic music, and for rock I'd still rather have it than not.
The 440/MLX will sound more like a 160ML than a 150MLX.

The point is, 33off already has the 440 and seems to like it? It's so much better for $200, why not?
That Pioneer looks like a decent arm w/removable headshell. If 33 wants something more forgiving or mellow or a mono cart, he can always swap.

Thanks Chakster. No sense reinventing the wheel. I'll check out that thread.

I think what it comes down to is my inexperience with a variety of cartridges. So I don't really know what I don't know. I am not sure that my 440MLa is the right cart for my current setup. While I said I listen mostly to classic rock...I lean more to the acoustical side; not the heavy metal. Going to the 150mlx my be a good starting point. I've also been reading about the Clearaudio V2's. They seem to have constantly good reviews.

Also. Thanks to each of you for your input.