Some help please with Cartridge choices

@OP.  I haven't heard the Black so I can't comment on its sound quality. However, at a technical level there are a lot of improvements over the Red. As Hana say, it is not a Red with a diamond cantilever.

But I have two observations. Firstly, in terms of balance of performance, would the additional cost over the Red be better spent on improving the tonearm or phono stage.

Secondly, the Black's output is 0.3mV so it's on the lower end of MC output values. So phono stage matching will also be important,

who has heard a diamond cantilever?

here’s a potential bargain, AT125LC, Open Box, included Azimuth adjustable magnesium headshell

https://www.ebay.com/itm/267441847752?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=7d03d124-b0f0-11f0-86ee-366165326233

what makes it interesting is that after the unused Line Contact stylus wears out, any current VMN stylus will fit it, so you could end up with a boron rod cantilever, you choose from 3 stylus designs

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-eu/support/which-stylus-can-i-use-to-replace-my-discontinued-model

take a look at the list, you can buy a body, no or worn or broken stylus, and simply put a new VMN stylus of your choice on many old designs

AT-VMN45xML (microlinear/nude/boron cantilever)
AT-VMN50xSH (shibata/nude/boron cantilever)
AT-VMN60xSL (special line contact/nude/boron cantilever)

$229. gets new MicroLine on Boron

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/styli-accessories/a-t-moving-magnet-styli/at-vmn45xml

OEM stylus tracks nominal 1.4g, not sure what a new boron cantilever might want, can anyone guess ________?

and there are a lot of old stock original Line Contact Stylus to be had.

Titanium is involved somehow, I am not sure of the specifics

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/audio-technica/at125.shtml

Another who has, is whom has experienced optimised Cartridge matching between Cart' Output and Phonostage. 

My one experience where I knew all the necessaries were accurately addressed, enabled a Cart' that was very familiar to myself, find a new level of positive impression it could conjure. 

When parting with monies  for a Cart' that can extend to $7K+.

The electronic support for the  Cart', surely needs serious consideration as well. 

This doesn't mean buying into uber expensive electronics, but putting in place the devices that allow the Cart'to be optimised with a downstream circuit. 

AT125LC Cartridge Body $59. free shipping, in usa thus no tarriff

$229. gets new MicroLine on Boron

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/styli-accessories/a-t-moving-magnet-styli/at-vmn45xml

There you have current production Microline on Boron, tracking at ?  for around $300. Original stylus tracked at nominal 1.4g, new boron, ____?

I’d like to hear it.

OP,

sorry to take your thread into the bargain basement, but once these things pop up, I feel someone who needs it ought to know.