Proteus compared to MSL ultra eminent ex

Well, it doesn't get much better than the Proteus if you value things like soundstaging, inner detail retrieval and refined and open treble extension. Bass is deep, strong and tuneful too. Only when it comes to dynamic jump and mid bass slam you can do significantly better.

But I doubt the MySonic will fit that bill. I own Matsudeira's previous Audiocraft AC-03, which by some accounts is not that different from the later models under the MySonic Labs banner. The AC-03 is a very good performer, but in my opinion no match for the Proteus.

Thanks edgewear. I appreciate your comments. The Proteus really is great. For my system, a cartridge with the type of specs I noted, like the Proteus, seems to work well. Hence my interest in MSL.

What cartridges do you like in terms of having better "dynamic jump and mid bass slam"?

In my experience the best in this regards would be the original Ikeda 9 series, the ones without cantilever. It has the most explosive dynamics I've ever heard. Lots of references to it here, just do a search. The 9 Rex is considered the top of the tree. But this is a very hard to find 'old' cartridge and no longer available new.

Also very strong in dynamics is Ortofon A90, which also fits your requirements. The A95 is very similar and even a bit more refined, but has a slightly higher impedance. Both have been deleted, but they're less hard to find and Ortofon still offers complete rebuilds for them. Another strong contender for dynamics would be the vdHul Colibri, but it has an even higher impedance.

I have no further knowledge of current top MC's, as prices have gone insane.