Cartridge for the JMW 10.5i


I've been looking for a cartridge to replace my Shelter 501 which I never really liked neither on the JMW 9 Signature nor the JMW 10.5i. It sounds better on the latter though with 3 grams added mass... Nevertheless, no matter what I do I can't get rid of some graininess and sibilance on some LPs (not only SH but new as well) and I simply refuse not to listen to my record collection because of this.

Also, in my system Shelter 501 sounds as if there were three separate layers of frequencies that don't mix really well because the midband was a bit thinner, although when the recording is good (let's say MoFi Aimee Mann How Am I Different...) there's nothing wrong with it and it's excellent.

I'm looking for a warm sounding cartridge that will be a good tracker and one that will serve vocals and winds/brass and acoustic instruments well.

I was looking at the Dynavector (from XX2 to DV-1), ZYX (Fuji - 4D), Transfiguration Phoenix, Koetsu Rosewood.
I was suggested to consider Soundsmith and Lyra as well...

Will my tonearm be able to optimize any of those cartridges or should I look somewhere else...
128x128janhavjar
Lyra Helikon is nice, I have enjoyed my Grado The Reference 1 Signature. I have not heard the ZYX, all of the feedback is stellar.
i've heard that benz micro work well with jmw tonearms. i have their low end mc cart on my jmw-9 sig. and really enjoy it. in your price range, you have several options in the benz family up to the gullwing (shr or slr, depending on your choice of output).
I think there is something amiss with your set-up, the cart or the arm.
I had the 501s on the 9 and 10.5i and it was wonderful. None of the stuff you mentioned above.
As a matter of fact, before i settled for the 501 years back i briefly compared them to the xx2 and i much prefer the 501 sonic signature.
the sibilance issue could be due to misalignment or the vta is not correct.