Advice on best mid priced MM cartridge choice for Rega P3 (2016)

If trying high output MC, like Hana EL, directly into MM Phono, it's still only 2mv. 

IF you have any hum when you turn your phono/preamp/amp volume up, I suggest sticking with MM as OP wants to do.

Never heard you table/arm, just a thumbs up for Audio Technica Microline’s, I have prior model 440ML. AT’s 540ml price is shown $370. Amazon $250.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-VM540ML-MicroLine-Turntable-Cartridge/dp/B01MEI1RPC

People say specs are not a reason to choose, but imaging of a group of musicians, jazz players especially for me, is important because it is so enjoyable, and hearing the skills of individual players reveals their magic. Also appreciating the work of great engineers. The stiffness of the cantilever material is a determinant.

IOW, while checking reviews of sound qualities ... keep an eye on the specs.

Recently, I compared sound and especially imaging from 4 cartridges, using very familiar well engineered evaluation tracks. 3 arm deck allows instant comparisons. Center is phantom created by matching l/r. I can definitely hear the tighter center imaging, and how wider separation ’lays’ the instruments out more distinctly across the stage, that helped by the tighter center as well.

CS 25db; CB 1.5db Shure V15VxMR with new SAS stylus on boron from Jico

CS 30db; CB .75db AT440ML OEM Microline on aluminum

CS 30db; CB .5db AT33PTG/2 Microline on boron (MC, my first, and now favorite).

CS 25db; CS 2db: Shure 97xe elliptical on aluminum

I like the brush feature of the Shures, but both Audio Technicas produced very enjoyable sound quality while producing improved imaging.

I'm suppose wide frequency response, especially lows and their subsequent overtones is involved in the results:

AT33PTG/2 is 15-50,000hz
Shure 97xe is 20-22,000hz 

Specs: directly comparable to each other???, I just refer to what they publish.

chackster

I came across this Stanton Catalog, two interesting technical performance and stylus type charts.

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/mbrs/recording_preservation/manuals/Stanton%20Product%20Catalog.pdf

what is the difference between Stereohedron and Stereohedron II?

One aspect of Stereohedron’s very long life must be it’s very light tracking centering on 1g. My Shure V15Vxmr liked 1.25 g. Most Mono and MC want heavier tracking which I prefer avoiding.

It seems many of the outputs are in that difficult range near 1mv, where only a few SUT’s have low enough x factors of 5 or 6 are about right.

What was in common use with these cartridge output strengths?