Clearaudio Maestro vs Ortofon Cadenza cartridge?

Thank you kingharold! It's a pleasure for me to know. I'm very close to get this beauty, or the Blue one :-/ I have read, that the Bronze is perfect for transistors, transistor phono preamp and transistor amplifier. That's what I have. Thank you for your feedback.

kongensfelt,  I can't do a comparison with Clearaudio cartridges, but I have the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze on a Clearaudio Performance DC Wood table with the Clearaudio Tracer arm.  I love it.  It is fast, musical, balanced and remarkably quiet regarding LP noise.  It is a keeper in my system.

I am only asking for an advice for a replace of the Clearaudio to a Cadenza cartridge. Now there’s many others options, that I have been told to check out - no advices for Cadenza. Apparently I must look away from my thoughts.

Instead I’ve been told, that I don’t have to hear Clearaudio, that AudioTechica is the generator behind Clearaudio, and Clearaudio has the worst construction of the unprotected cantilever. Things that I already know. But I’m happy for my Maestro, but just only need an advice for a Cadenza as a replacement - or maybe I should not.
  
I’ll keep focus.

What better MM cartridge than Clearaudio's Maestro for €1.000 do you suggest? You only mention LOMC. But thank you for your advice.

German ClearAudio MM carts built around Audio-Technica generator supplied from Japan. Audio-Technica is one of the biggest cartridge manufacturers today, you can look at any AT cartridges (MM or LOMC) and it will be the most cost effective solution if you want to buy ONLY current models (not discontinued rare models with more exotic parts and better sound quality in case with MM).

ClearAudio has the worst construction with an unprotected cantilever that is really dangerous and extremely inconvenient in use. Also you can't change the stylus on this MM cartridge yourself which is also inconvenient (just like with any MC, you have to ship it to the factory when the stylus is worn out). 

For EUR 1000 you can buy exceptional (New Old Stock) cartridges to eclipse many more expensive modern LOMC. Generally speaking an MM cartridge was far more important for the high-end industry in the 80's than today. This is why those classic MM from the golden age of analog are so good. I have all type of cartridges (MM,MI,MF,HOMC,LOMC) as you can see in my system. 

    

"Alignment" has to do first with the tonearm, not the cartridge. VTA and azimuth are a function of stylus shape, however. There is nothing odd about the styli on the ART9X cartridges, so far as I know. The ART7 got no special attention from me in terms of VTA or azimuth. Tonearm is parallel to the LP surface. If your phono stage has enough gain, I recommend the low output version of the new ART9X pairing. (Sorry I just cannot recall whether that is the Xi or the Xa.) I bought the ART7 over the original ART9 a few years ago, because of my own bias. The ART7 uses an amorphous core coil and has a very low output, 0.12mV. I think the low output version of the new 9X pair (which seems to be the replacement for the ART7) has a bit more output, would be easier to implement. The ART7 was a bit "clinical" sounding at first, very detailed but not very warm, or not as warm as real music. However, within about 20-30 hours it has become a real gem. I am using it on a Kenwood L07D, the OEM tonearm with an aftermarket carbon fiber headshell, into a 3160 J&R Phonolinepreamp, in balanced mode (which helps with gain and is dead quiet). Recognize that it is high in compliance compared to the typical LOMC, which is a plus. Anyway, don’t be put off the AT cartridges by fear of alignment difficulties. (Sounds like something a dealer would say, if he wanted to sell you something else.)

Cool. ART9 is highly recommended for my phono amp, but people also tells, that the alignment for the ART9 is very difficult compared to many others MCs.

Thank you Lewm!

I will leave the MM advice to Chak, but as he mentioned, at around $1000US, you ought to consider the AT ART9Xa or 9Xi, as examples of good MC types. I own the ART7, which is father of the low output version of the newer 9X models. (Can’t recall whether that’s the Xi or the Xa). It’s a fantastic cartridge. Maybe the absolute best bang for the buck among LOMC types currently available.

No I don't? 
What better MM cartridge than Clearaudio's Maestro for €1.000 do you suggest? You only mention LOMC. But thank you for your advice.

I have the Clearaudio Maestro on a Clearaudio Concept TT. It’s good, and I’ve been told, that I have to pay a lot more for a better cartridge.

No you don't. 
You can find much better MM cartridges than Clear Audio for lower price!

Do you know that Clear Audio cartridge motor is actually made by Audio-Technica in Japan? 

If you want LOMC check for Shelter, Dynavector, Audio-Technica. 
  

Hi Mijostyn
I have not forgotten you, but I had about the charisma. Now you gave me something to think about ... I have a very good phono preamplifier, it should be great for every kind of MC cartridges, but then you told me about this MM. I’m thinking, so the next step must be a demo of the cart. I wonder not to find the cartridge on clearaudio’s analogshop.de/en/ 
Isn’t there someone else who can advise me on replacing the Maestro cart?

Hi kongensfelt, It is really a sideways move and depends on what you like to listen to. If you prefer Rock and Jazz you might well be better off staying with the Clearaudio. It is more dynamic and the bass more vibrant. Classical music might favor the Bronze. I would not consider the Blue. I Have a lot of experience with the Windfeld Ti and the Clearaudio Charisma which I currently own. If you want to move up the Charisma actually might be the better choice especially for rock. It is the most dynamic cartridge I have ever heard with a big period! It also has a very advanced stylus comparable to the one in the Bronze. High output cartridges have much better signal to noise ratios and require much less expensive and less complicated phono stages.