New cartridge $500 range


I have a Pro-Ject 2 Xperience turntable with a Sumiko Blue point #2 cartridge. It is time for a new cartridge. I’m thinking of switching to a MM cartridge. Is there something out there that would be a upgrade from the blue point in the $500 range. 

Rest of my system:
Emotiva XMC-1
Parasound 2125v2 for the front left and right speakers
AV123 Strata Mini front speakers
Pro-Ject Phono Box SE phono amp
Pro-Ject Speed Box S
Parasound Zphono USB phono amp (mostly for recording)
I also have an Emotiva UPA-700 to power my center and surround speakers.

I am thinking of a MM cartridge to get a little more gain, having to turn the volume way up kind of bothers me a little. I would be open to staying with the blue point or another MC cartridge. I would just like something that is easy to setup





thegreenline
@thegreenline - I gonna suggest getting a new phono stage

try this one...
Amazon.com: MOON by Simaudio 110LP V2 Phono Preamplifier: Home Audio & Theater

It is within your $500 budget and will improve sound greatly

Regards
op

what are you trying to improve from the sound you are currently hearing by upgrading carts from your sbp2?

i concur w others who have said one needs to think about cartridge and phono stage as a matched tandem
Hana SH, Goldring 1042, Nagaoka MP300, come to mind, all high outputs so no worries about extra transformers or cables or whatever. Even if you decide to upgrade your phono stage you would still have a good cartridge.

G
Goldring 1042 is an excellent cartridge. I use it with Nottingham Spacedeck/Spacearm and Acoustech PH-1 phono stage. Whatever I upgrade in the system I can clearly hear the change. Even minor things like putting one half inch Walker isolation disc near the turntable motor.