New Cartridge Suggestions

@tochsii Replace the Moth RB250 with a Jelco 850 (750 new old stock or 550 new if budget matters - 850 is well better.) from George Merrill and install any of the recommended cartridges for a major upgrade (mind-blowing) for relatively little money. The arm you have, while competent at the lower end, is a weak link. Honestly, you are overthinking the options. Forget the ZYX LOMC and use the Nag MP150 or Blue for starters with Jelco.

I have been using a vintage Audio Technica AT15ss since 1975 when I purchased it new.  I had it mounted in my Marantz 6300 TT which was also purchased new at the time. 

About a year or so ago I picked up a used VPI Ares3 TT with the super platter option and found a used SME Series IV tone arm, which I mounted on a custom machined arm board I made.  

Everything I have ever read about the AT15ss and the AT20ss  states that they are two of the finest cartridges ever produced and both are identical other than the AT20ss' were the hand picked cream of production.  I always wanted the AT20ss stylus so that I could replace my AT15ss stylus with the finest one.  After moving the AT15ss over to the new to me Ares3, I was blown away at how much better it sounded in the new set up.  I mean it was like mind boggling. 
Everything good written about the AT15/20ss was clearly evident.  Luckily, I recently found a NOS in the original packaging, AT20ss stylus which I installed.  It's pretty much the same to me as the AT15ss, however I just feel great knowing it's in the system now.

If you can find yourself a NOS AT15ss or 20ss, buy it. You will not regret this purchase.

Thanks everyone for your recommendations.  Noramance, the George Warren tt came with stock Rega 250 with wiring mod’d by Moth Audio.

Has anyone had experience with the entry level ZYX carts?  There are 2 here. But, 1 is from outside the US & people seem to be leary of that.

@mmorrison55 

I don’t quite understand your post. Are you for or against the Hanna carts? It was that video that got me looking into the Hana line and they are at the top of my list when I buy my TT as I understand they are hard to beat for the money. 

 
Not against Hanna, but i'm quite familiar with the best Excel Sound cartridges, including the OEM models this company made in the late '80s.
And while the Hanna is their budget line, the Etsuro Urushi MC is their premium line. I have a cartridge from the '80s which they just copied to make Etsuro Urushi nowadays. In my opinion Hanna is also just a copy of average carts they made in the '80s. I don't understand a hype about Hanna cartridges. They are affordable which is good! But there are many amazing vintage cartridges for the same price (mm, mi or mc). Back in the days Excel Sound made all SAEC cartridges. 

P.S. Mr.Fremer's Excel Sound factory tour does not impress me much, sorry. 

Have you considered an AT OC9/II?  It's a very underrated cartridge that is crisp, tight, detailed, musical and dynamic.  Some say it errs on the bright side.  I say it has honest high frequency response.  Just because it is inexpensive doesn't mean it's a budget cartridge.  It is a high end cartridge than can be purchased at budget cartridge prices.  

OP doesn't seem to say what his table and arm are but the SS Otello appears to be a high compliance cartridge.

I’m a Soundsmith fanboy, so take this for what you will...

I’d consider the $400 Otello from Soundsmith:

https://sound-smith.com/cartridges/fixed-coil/otello

With budget concerns, I’d even consider a rebuilt "B" stock unit for $300 (as it will be essentially a new cartridge). Plus, Peter can rebuild your cartridge indefinitely for $100 (if / when something happens to it again).

Personally, I will only consider Soundsmith cartridges because of 1) their design, 2) their rebuild policy / price, and 3) to support the man behind the company (he’s one of the good guys). Watch his videos on-line to see why (assuming you’re unfamiliar with the Soundsmith).

I would recommend the grado sonata, retail is $600, you might get a better deal. I used to own 1 years ago. On cheap turntables, they had a problem with hum. On the better turntables, it’s not an issue.
not sure if you bought your JD9 yet, but i’m Going to be listing my JD9 mk2 with the optional factory upgrade #1 package and an upgraded set of psvane tubes if interested.

Here is a sample cartridge shootout involving a Hane vs Nagaoka-
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhSFP0PJCE4

@chakster, I don’t quite understand your post. Are you for or against the Hanna carts? It was that video that got me looking into the Hana line and they are at the top of my list when I buy my TT as I understand they are hard to beat for the money. 

VM540ML from Audio-Technica is a great value. One of the best sounding cartridges I’ve heard by a long shot. 

To do a rough audition of cartridges online, go to youtube and look for myvinylobsession and also look for Bob Wood.
Listen with good headphones!
If you are looking for bright, look at the Audio Technica line, which was just refreshed with new models. I would choose a cartridge with a Nude Elliptical or a Line Contact stylus, whatever your budget will allow. Make sure you study up on Cartridge Alignment to help with your new cartridge install. Go to vinylengine.com for many useful tips and tools. Good Luck!

You should try Music Direct. They are on the North side of Chicago west of Ashland and North of Foster. When I lived there they were always very helpful and never pushed me into something I could't afford.

Hanna buyers should watch factory tour first.
Does not look very impressive, expecially their test equipment with destroyed Victor tonearm. Also their products they made before returned to the cartridge manufacturing business. Excel Sound - the manufacturer of Hanna, made so many cartridges for various different brands in the 70’s and in the 80’s, one of the best was mid 80’s Argent with Boron, Sapphire and Diamond cantilevers.

+1 @dill You cannot go wrong with the HANA EL or EH. I’ve been playing around with several carts.  HANA EL is a superstar at the price. 

Ignore all those MC cartridges, you will have to re-tip them every 700 hrs. Watch Peter Ledermann lecture first (jump to 24:00, he will explain everything), then think about MM or MI cartridges with replacement styli.

Pickering XSV-3000 with Stereohedron stylus is perfect and lower than your budget, normally $300-400 (depends on condition). And a brother of the Pickering XSV-3000 is Stanton 881s, just read this.  

Nagaoka MP200 - smooth, warmish and tight
Ortofon 2M Blue - detailed and cooler
Audio Technica VM750SH - in between!

@tochsii  - Nope, apparently I have nothing constructive to add. Seriously though, I wish you good luck and I hope the new Phono pre-amp and cartridge bring you a significant sound quality improvement.

Reubent, did you have a constructive cartridge recommendation or just a comment on something there’s no way I can afford to change?

@tochsii - That George Warren TT is a fine looking unit. Based on the reviews I've read, the design and the price, I would think it seriously outclasses your Denon HT Receiver. Not slamming the Denon. It is high end unit and was state of the art at the time it was released. However, it is an HT receiver and a jack of all trades. It may never produce the sound you are hoping for from your TT. I hope the new phono pre-amp and cartridge produce the sound you seek. However, if they do not, you may need to replace the HT receiver with high quality seperates or live with compromised sound.

Good luck in your hunt, and happy listening.

Hana EH or EL cartridges. Your new JD9 will have no problem with either. BTW: checkout the link for info & tweeks for your new phono stage.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/official-jolida-jd9-thread.344317/

I’d say go ahead and replace your DL110 for $349 at Needle Doctor, or, even better, $195 from Amazon.