Think Long Now.
I prefer wide channel separation, combined with tight channel balance, which provides terrific imaging. IOW, use that to narrow the list. Then, does it sound good???
You have tools and skills for alignment?
Advanced Stylus Shape’s last longer, thus not much more costly over time.
Cantilever no stiffer than Boron (they get dangerously brittle).
Single Arm: Changeable Headshells. Perhaps a headshell allowing Azimuth Adjustment.
Better yet, slightly larger TT with two tonearms ready to go instantly in any listening session, i.e. Favorite on Main arm (could be fixed cartridge); 2nd arm (changable headshell) for: alternates, perhaps mono, 2nd favorite MC or MM elliptical stereo iow any other on second arm.
A SUT with two inputs (now or future), optional loading/x factors, and Pass for MM
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Cartridges’s I have owned anf kept in order of preference. Newer versions exist of some.
MC
AT33PTGII, my first MC, ML stylus on Boron, terrific at everything, Chamber to Santana
Goldring, Eroica LO MC Unique Gyger II line contact stylus. A bit less separation which can be good for some content, i.e. Bill Evans at Village Vanguard.
MM
AT440ML, ML Stylus on aluminum, just beats my Shure
Shure V15Vxmr body with replacement Jico Shibata on Boron, with brush (not damped).
Grace F9E (my close friend’s favorite MM, sounds great). Shure M97xe, elliptical on aluminum with damped brush deals with warps https://www.shure.com/en-EU/products/dj-phono/m97xe
Mono: Grado Elliptical
