Cartridge Advice Please

@dhite71 You have stated, 

"I failed to share my budget but that would definitely be above : ) I am hoping to stay around $2000-$3000. 

There are Cart's being recommended that will retail at a substantial increase over this, especially the MSL Gold or Platinum.

I am a Ortofon user and have been demonstrated a variety of their models, some are noticeably Rich in Tone (Not my Thing), others can grow toward a lean presentation (more to my taste, but not overly transparent). Most Cart's from this Brand have been able to embed a very good impressions. 

I am hoping over the next year to be able to experience demonstrations of a few Companies Flagship Models inclusive of Ortofon's latest design.

The Ortofon Verismo and the MSL Platinum are of interest.

I have the offer to experience the Verismo in a home system and am yet to make a date.

The place for a Platinum to be demonstrated is yet to be found, I am at present assuming a HiFi Event will be the location.

When these are achieved, I will have one more demonstration to seek out, which is the Mutech Hayabusa. I have followed the reports of a user of the some of the Cart's recommended above, and it has been discovered, that the Hayabusa is claimed to be almost on par in overall performance with a MSL Platinum, and seriously worth considering as a alternative choice.     

The Hayabusa falls in purchase value and can be found closer to your made known Budget. The Budget might need an increase by a $1000ish, but the Cart's performance for this money, if the reports are to be believed (which I do believe) suggests another $5000-$6000 increase in budget is required to acquire the Platinum and not have a much improved performance. 

Looking into the Hayabusa as an option will only increase your awareness of what options are available to you.    

@dhite71 I'm happy to have introduced you to the Hayabusa.

The link will introduce you to some of the reports to be found on it and other Cart's that may fall within your budget.

 https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/comparison-of-some-cartridges-in-the-4k-region-soundsmith-the-voice-ikeda-9-tt-ortofon-windfeld-ti-air-tight-pc1.28733/

@dhite71 The Link is one I have read for the first time.

The content will help one to better understand the Design Intent and Materials used for some of the Cart's that are being suggested.

There is also very good descriptions of how Cart's compare from the same stable. There should be enough being discussed, to help with assisting your producing a used MC Cart' Shortlist.  

This individual is one of a very few, who I have followed for quite some time. There experiences attained through using a vast selection of Vinyl Replay Devices is way beyond that of many enthusiasts. It is off interest that I have now learned they have now began to adopt PC Triple C Wire in the Signal Path for the Cart'.

I have been a advocate of PC Triple C Wire used in the Cart's Signal Path for a few years now. This started as Ortofon Tag Wires, which from recollection really impressed and has over time expended to using it as a Signal Wire in Interconnects, Speaker Cables and now it is also being used as a Wire in Power Cables.

I have also been Instrumental in encouraging others to use it, which has resulted in the extended usage, where the Wire is now being used as Wand Wire from Cart' Tags through to RCA Connectors, Internal Hook Up wire on a Phonostage and Internal Cabinet Wire in a Speaker.

At present SAEC is the only Company using the PC Tri[le C wire as a Wand Wire on a Tonearm costing appox' £13000  

My wish is for the Wire to be found in a Cart' Coil and Lead Out Pins, hopefully AT might do this, as they did with OCC Wire.

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/my-personal-journey-to-my-sonic-lab.30722/

@dhite71 The Link is Part II of the first Link I added.

It covers a few Cart's recommended above and extends to comparing/discussing the Benz LPS.

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/comparison-of-some-cartridges-in-the-4k-segment-mkii-etsuro-hana-benz-allnic-kiseki-phasemation.32994/

As advised by @elliottbnewcombjr ​​​​​​

The idea and practice of having a Donor Cart' rebuilt is one I am a advocate of. It will be seen in other threads where I make known my experiences of this. 

I will say that, not Al Donor Cart's are able to be rebuilt to a Spec' that resembles the original model and some are not going to be rebuilt.

It does depend on the Service Selected and the evaluation of the Technician. 

This will not suit all, but it is my arrangement I make. 

I buy a Donor Cart', as model to undergo a Inspection and Assessment only. I don't kid myself I am buying a rebuild able Cart'. 

Following the Assessment being a positive outcome, I let the Third Party Service know I am not holding them accountable, if the rebuild has a failing and the Cart' is lost. I accept the outcome whatever it is.

The only thing I ask, is that if parts have been purchased and are being charged for, if these are salvageable, I ask these are stored for a future attempt, when another Donor is available.

Obviously not everhbodies ideal, but to date this has worked out fine, and a Third Party Service does feel better for it, as they can't guarantee 100% success on all attempts to rebuild. 

Making such suggestions as follows will undoubtedly not be received by all as the best advice when reviewing the latter of the two suggestions.

If the option is available to swap out Cart' Tag Wires, I would suggest a PC Triple C Tag Wire, I have found this wire has a very impressive impact used in the Cart's signal path. It is very affordable to purchase this wire as a Tag Wire, and will also be good to have at hand when/if another Cart' is tried.

Acoustic Revive are using the same Copper in their PC Triple C/EX Tag Wires and are asking for a $1000, the without /EX, Copper Only PC Triple C Tag Wires are much less monies acquire.  

If a SUT is at hand and is compatible with the Kleos, it might be worthwhile giving it a try, I feel confident a Richness will be detected as a result of the inclusion. Whether this is enough to rein the Cart' in enough to present with a sonic, that fits in with your preferences will be the unknown.

I have options on how a Cart's signal is amplified and there are SUT's and a Head Amp available to work in conjunction with owned Phonostages. I'm yet to feel I have sold a Cart' short by creating permutations through adding other devices to manage the the Cart's produced Signal.