cartridge recommendation

must say first time i hear about MI version.
what is the difference compare to MM and MC?
one specific one from Soundsmith around my budget?

thank you chakster.
first it is very important that you refer to my specific turntable and arm.
let say i’ll give up the high output mc and go for some external phono stage, how will you grade between a low output mc and one of the mm or mi mentioned.
what is "those kings from the pinnacle of MM" ?
about the videos we need to take in account that he is from Soundsmith .

after my cantilever broke i tried 2 cartridges i have at home.
one is ORTOFON OMB10 . it’s very clean etc. but must say i can’t live with it, compare to the benz i had . lot of coloration.
the other one is monster cable alpha 2 fro the late 80’s.
it’s less colorized and very detailed but a bit thin and body less , i believe it because the low output 0.30 mv.

about your remark -  lewm -    "most would agree that Benz cartridges impart a kind of coloration, in that they tend to smooth over rough spots."
among other kind of music i listen a lot to jazz  .
although i agree that the benz have it's issues, i never heard so accurate brass sound as i had with my benz.

the link you gave  chakster 
http://www.regonaudio.com/Stanton881AudioTechnicaATML70.html
i'm not sure you can get those cartridges like the stanton  today.
when you talk about  "AT-ML150 with MicroLine stylus"
you mean something like this?
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/cartridges-audio-technica-ml150-occ-phono-cartridge-gold-plated-be...  

yogiboy - do you recommend any particular grado ?

@chakster - first, the article about Doug Sax is a bit old and I think that things changed from there.
btw the photo you put of Stanton 881s says some other model.
from my experience i usually don’t pay much attention to technical build spec, only sound.
by that i’m not saying that you are not right, just that i need other factors than legendary vintage, or build.

whart - i totally agree with that:
"it is hard to evaluate cartridges without hearing them in your system. Also, they all have a character in my experience, so there’s some degree of matching the sound to complement your system’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as to suit your personal preference: "
the problem is that they are not available to me to listen and test, and for sure not on my system.
so i have to make my decision carefully as much as i can.
when i’m speaking about "correct" sound i’m not talking about "clinical ’accurate’ sound" i also looking for some "richness" aand i think i had it with my benz. for example brass were reach and very right to my ears.


chakster - i’m a bit confused from all the info.
i’ll take time to read and search a bit.

is there any advantage with MI over MM?

can anyone say something about the benz micro gold/silver they offer me with some discount?

https://www.analogueseduction.net/benz- ... ridge.html

https://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/benz ... ver_e.html

chakster- i think i prefer a new  cartilage.

johnto - i saw that the  Soundsmith Carmen mk2 is 999$' its beyond my budget.

whart - maybe it’s because my English is not perfect, but i didn’t understood clearly your recommendation .
especially between mm and mc.
as i wrote i have the monster alpha 2 cartridge.
right now, connected to a build in stage, it has wonderful details but sounds very thin.
a mm ortofon i have sound very colorized to me.
i totally agree with you that the well tempered is a bit pain in the ass with the fluid and other enlightenment's. 

roberjerman - grado is one of several that i consider, but i’ll try to make some more research.
that inductance , or hum that both of you mentioned is something to worry, isn’t it?