I had excellent results with a Benz Glider L2 on the Aries 2 with JMW 10.5 until I traded up the the current Keotsu Urushi. This put it out "of the park" in terms of resolution, detail and extension. My listening tastes are similar to yours.
Shortlist of best cartridges with VPI
I'm trading up to a VPI Super Scoutmaster Signature and need a shortlist of best cartridges to consider with it. I have an Ayre K-1xe preamp, Levinson 20.5 mono blocks, Wilson Sophia 1s with current version Transparent reference cables on an SRA craz rack. My tastes in music are wide: pop, rock, folk, jazz & classical. Collection includes a number of early pressing 50s and early 60s Mercury Living Presence and RCA Living Stereo, as well as some Jazz and Rock albums from same period.