Cartridge Advice Please


I would love to hear from others that have traveled the same or a similar path.  

My system is the previous Gen of Audio Research REF gear with the 75SE amp, 5SE preamp and 2SE phonostage with the Rega P10 playing Wilson Sophia 1.  I listen to a lot of rock, R&B, blues, jazz, folk

My previous cartridge of about 2 years was a Benz Micro Wood SM.  I got it new and loved it from the first record.  My current cartridge is the Kiseki Purple Heart which I love even more and also have loved from the beginning.  I got is used with about 200 hours, lol.  So many people listen for 200 hours and then sell.  I am fine with used but have always found that 150-200 hour statistic funny.

It has been about 9 months and I am happy with every other aspect of my system so would like to experiment with a new cartridge.  Here are the ones that didn't work

SoundSmith Sussuro MkII ES - I liked it but with a 0.4mV rating it required my 5SE volume to be around 20 higher than the Purple Heart rated at 0.48mV.  That makes no sense and it caused a buzz to be audible from my speakers between albums/tracks when listening at moderately loud volumes.  Mr. Peter said there was  nothing wrong with it and felt no need for me to send it in so I sold it.

Rega Aphelion 2 - This came used on my P10 and my mind was set on selling to justify the P10 upgrade so not sure I gave it the best chance but it sounded bright to me.  

Rega Apheta 3 - Same deal as above, came on my previous RP10 and also sounded bright.

My initial thoughts are:

Koetsu

Lyra

Higher level Benz

Ortofon

 

dhite71