Cartridge Advice Please

@jjss49  - Thanks, will do some research on dynavector

@tablejockey - Good idea to keep AT in mind.  I see lots of positive things and big fans of their high end cartridges.  That ART-20 does seem like a good candidate to keep an eye out for a dealj

@jperry - I failed to share my budget but that would definitely be above : )    I am hoping to stay around $2000-$3000.  I was not familiar and read a nice review fro the absolute sound where it was compared to Koetsu.  Also learned of the connection between the two companies so will definitely pay more attention to this brand....thanks!

@mijostyn - noted from above...definitely on my radar now...thanks

@danmar123 - not familiar but I will do some research...thanks

@mulveling - you bring up points regarding the Benz line that I am unaware and you may be right that I am looking for more of a change.  Koetsu Rosewood Signature is definitely one that gets my attention.  I really wasn't sure what to expect from Ortofon.  One of my friends has had many over the years and the Lyra Helikon is his favorite but a bright presentation is definitely not what I am after.  Another nod to MSL...that seems to be the theme here..thanks

@ghdprentice - you must have thought my '2SE' meant the older PH2.  No, I said the full REF lineup, just didn't type REF for each piece : )

@macg19 - I haven't heard of Aidas but will do some research, thanks

@audioguy85 - I love my Kiseki but can't tame the beast to stop lol...hope you like the Ortofon

@lewm - I went all through the load settings and didn't help matters;  I talked to Peter on the phone.  He came across a bit arrogant as he would NOT fathom the possibility there was a problem with his beloved cartridge..it had to be me or my system.  The fact that several other cartridges all played as expected based on their output and his cartridge was the outlier was left as my problem.  I bought it from a dealer with a warranty and he said there was no need to return it to be assessed.  I also talked to him before buying and his attitude was much different so I lost a lot of respect for him in that experience, sold it and moved on.  I would still use them for a re-tip but would not purchase another SS cartridge.

@hotei - I will try a Lyra some day....still looking for the right deal : )  thanks

@jdougs - Not simply saying a 0.4mV cart causes noise, this was isolated to the SS cart

@mijostyn - Just checked hifishark and an Eminent EX sold 3 weeks ago in 2 days for $2500!  Just a little late on my inquiry, but will definitely be watching for the next one.  

@tomic601 - I have seen immediate improvements from better isolation for my turntable and subwoofers but have not tried anything under the components.  You may be on to something here as I know I am currently running a fabulous cartridge so maybe I need to take a step back and try something different for the next evolution of my system.  Appreciate the idea.

@audphile1 - you do bring up a good point that I have recognized and worked with in the past.  I don't recall how the actual dimensions compared when I had the Aphelion 2 but I did buy the spacer set and adjusted the arm from the base.  I did not hear any differences with my previous Benz or the current Kiseki.  I know many hear major changes in sound while adjusting the VTA so not sure if mine was already close enough to be good or if this is something too subtle for me to hear.  Looking at my table now the arm is almost perfectly parallel to the record.  The cartridge may be up 1 or 2 deg from the base. 

@pindac - My limited experiences with demos has left me disappointed.  When you are auditioning these cartridges at a dealer do they have a setup with a headshell where they are allowing you to hear a known cartridge which you are currently use or know well and then swapping out the contender(s)?  I have no dealers near me so my experiences are limited to business trips and trying to coordinate an hour or two in to go visit someone....I don't have a rapport with anyone.  I will focus on the used market and often times as the retail climbs the expected resale value percentage drops so hoping $3000 will present opportunities for a $6000-$8000 cartridge.  I was not familiar with Hayabusa so will read up on that brand...thanks!

@lewm - I know we have to take online commentary with a chunk of salt but I have been in sales for all of my life and pride myself on empathy and being open-minded.  As I mentioned it was very disappointing how responsive and helpful the SS group and Peter were when I was considering their cartridge and then how it was when I had a problem.  I can't remember the dealer's policy as it was online and had never dealt with them before but I know I couldn't just return it as it was beyond that point.  I made it out with minimal loss so was happy to just walk away from the deal and have no further curiosity of SS cartridges.  I used all the load settings offered by my 2SE:  47K, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 ohms.  The recommended is >/= 470 so 500 was the optimal choice.  It did sound the best and loudest there, but again, where I can listen to my Kiseki with 0.48mV output at a loud volume at 50 on most records, I was at 70+ on the SS with 0.40mV.  My Benz is the medium output at 0.8mV and there was not much difference between it and the Kiseki, maybe a few volume points, which tells me the difference between the Kiseki and the SS should have been barely noticeable.  I believe in SS and Peter's passion and skills but simply had a very bad experience.

@russellrcncom Are you using this as the stock arm on an RP10 or modified a non-Rega turntable?  Don't suppose it matters....right?  Just curious

I should have included Rega RB3000 in the title as many have commented on choices on other brand arms.  I have been reading a little about compliance and using formulas to consider cartridges.  Do you know if there any clear red flags or stats that would be a hard elimination for a cartridge?

What are you listening to now on the RB2000?

@mytthor appreciate the referral of Steve and Ray for service.  I had read somewhere of others having a good experience with them.  

A near mint Lyra Kleos came up for sale on USAM yesterday at a great price so I bought that.  Lyra has been a brand I have wanted to hear for a while so am very excited to try this one out!  I will update after I have spent some time with it.  Thanks again for all the input.

The Kleos offered a very nice and detailed presentation but was a bit too 'in my face' and a bit bright compared to my Purple Heart.