AT150mlx price went up

Discount of $250 vs $450?
You have a strange sense of humor.
Setting $800 MSRP is nothing but a marketing gimmick, IMO, but it may work, who knows.

I would agree the popularity is a major factor. It may no longer be a most underrated MM cartridge.

OK. I got a much better deal now, saving $450 (800-350) compared to $250 (500-250) if I had bought it a couple weeks ago. ;-)

Initial response: it is a clear winner over my sub $300 clartridges: Clearaudio Aurum Classic Wood, Grado Gold, ADC XLM MK ii Improved, and AT125LC.

The amount of difference between AT150mlx and other cartridges is more apparent than difference among other cartridges. I have tried a few classical (orchestral and chamber, solo), jazz (60~80's), and rock albums, and they all sound more musical.

Well, $350 is still a lot of money for me, but it definitely is the least amount I had spent compared to other recent audio upgrades.

Those who bought it a month ago would now realize that they had saved $550 and feel even happier. ;)

One more fallen sub $300 cartridge -- Schure V15 Type III (with either VN35MR or VN35HE), which is marginally better than Grado Gold and Clearaudio in my system, but not quite close to AT150mlx.