Newbie needs some cart advice for a SME V/Dyn P75

Dear Zanth: You can't be better than with the Sumiko Celebration ( around 1K in the second hand market or 1.5K at retail price ) ), this is a top performer cartridge ( the bargain's century ) that in the SME V ( the perfect match ) outperforms not only your two choices but many cartridges in the 3k price range.

Btw, the " voicing " during the design/tests process for the manufacturer of the Celebration was using the: SME V, you can't ask for more.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Dear Flyingred: +++++ " the SME arm is quite dry and analytical .." +++++

That depends on many factors: cartridge, cartridge load impedance, TT, VTA/SRA, phono preamp, etc, etc, .....

I respect your point of view but I think that those characteristics don't belong to the V " per se ".

About the Koetsu cartridges: for many years I try many models of this cartridges: Black, Onyx Gold, Rosewood, Rosewood Signature, Urushi and today the KRSP. All the Koetsu's are severe faulty at the frecuency extremes reproduction ( are really innacurate to the music ) it does not matters with which tonearm be matched, the RSP and the OP are a little better on that. I know that many people ( like you ) are in love with the Koetsu colorations but for me the Koetsu cartridges are a really " mediocre " cartridge performer except the RSP/OP models ( I never heard the Jade ones ).

Dear Zanth: stay away from that Black. Its sound is like its color/model.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Dear Flyingred: Tks, now I understand. Good luck with your XX-2 a very good cartridge indeed and yes that will be a " contrast ".

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Dear Zanth: Doug is right, Benz Micro is a good alternative especially the Ruby 2.
Unfortunatelly is out of your budget.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.