favorite phono cartridge

There is no reasonable answer for this question. Each and every cartridge has its own merits. Also each an every system has its own weak/strong points. Last of all each and every one of us has own taste.

If everything is neutral, which i mean system and user and we only decide for the cartridge, i beleive who owns a neutral system has a neutral taste and try to find the best possible neutral cartridge in his/her budget, and if we are talking about cost no object, zyx universe 2, lyra atlas can be relativley considered neutral.

Each and every cartridge has its own merits and creators ideas and taste about the music. Imho, dynavector, lyra is in a another taste, benz, koetsu ikeda is another taste. Any one may like any of it, also in different systems, you may hate any of it. If the cartridge and the system favor each other strenghts and weakness, that cartridge would be the ones best cartridge. Zyx is not color free cartridge, but again imho, it is as close as the neutral cartridge. Thats whay I think it is a very good candidate for the best cartridge. Also i have many cartridges, and i do not have any zyx right now.

But analog has too much varaibles, even a damping oil may create a huge difference, so best is very dependent on system, more then personel taste. What a hard question to answer :))