As I moved up the analog food chain, I hit this phenomenon more than once. Because so many variables are moving at once - often two or more of: table, arm, cart, set up, phono section, etc - it's hard to be sure what is behind the issue. In my case, I've come to suspect that the cartridge and/or phono section are the primary culprits behind dry sound, but, like I said, more suspicion than conclusion.
FWIW
FWIW