Find yourself a good used Pickering XV15 (MI) and order a new stylus for it, the 1200 version, from LP Gear. This is a high profile stylus that sounds and tracks superbly. I have several quality MM and MI cartridges (Ortofon (2M Black), Nagaoka (MP110, 150 and 200), Shure (m97xe, V15IV), Stanton (800s), Grado (Sonata) and Pickering (XSV3000 and 4000)) and, by far, the XV15 sounds superior to all of them.
Upgrade from Ortofon 2M Red to MC-1?
I've been using the Ortofon 2M Red that came with my Pro-Ject Debut TT, and have the opportunity to get a pretty good deal on an Ortofon MC-1, a high output MC cartridge. Just how much of an upgrade would this be - what kind of improvements in sound could I expect? My phono stage is the Bellari VP 530. They'll be running through an NAD T753 receiver and Chapman T5 speakers. Thanks for any opinions!