New Phono Cart with Character Needed

I disagree on the GrooveTracer upgrades being an issue.  I switched back and forth between stock and GrooveTracer and heard a noticeably better sound.  I can usually hear the difference between belts and even different record weights.  I opted for the Reference sub platter option which is described below.  I know Rega has its own lightweight system that they say works together and is necessary to achieve the best Rega sound, but I prefer the upgrades.  I won’t argue that an entire table upgrade wouldn’t help though. 

GrooveTracer sub-platter description:

“The hub is machined from 6061-T6 Aluminum and the bearing axle is constructed from hardened (RC 62) and ground steel. The third component is the record spindle which is machined and polished from Stainless Steel.”

”(it) incorporates a sapphire thrust plate (integral with the bearing shaft) that rotates on a zirconia (ZrO2) ball.”

@vitussl101  am running it on a old original Denon DP59L that I bought in 80s...have it on the S tonearm for the slightly higher mass...and an acrylic mat...otherwise stock.  Using phono preamp on my Pioneer Elite C90 I also bought in 80s along with the M90 Main Amp and comes out a pair of recapped Klipsch Cornwalls from 1978.  My Stanton was on the straight tonearm but the recommedations from most was to use the S tonearm if I had one for the MP200.  Is still in breakin stage as only had on about 2 weeks with maybe 20 hours on it so far...but very pleased.  It was more sensitive to proper setup than my stanton though....had to really get it dialed in on balance, tonearm height relative to record, tracking force....etc.    Good luck on the search....

IMHO, you might find it impossible to find any cartridge, that would be close in performance to your phono stage, AND your TT could give it a justice. Short way to the answer to your question would be to ask other who have same phono stage (and at least speakers) what they use, but that would be misleading. What I can understand, you need something that will be more engaging - something that will make you listen to the music, not your system. Unfortunately, in this case "the source" in your system is not only the cartridge; it has to be looked at as a system consisting of cartridge, tonearm and turntable.
1. Rega turntable and tonearm is most likely the weakest link in your system - judging by your phono stage
2. Rega tonearm and its overall capabilities is too restricting 
3. XP-17 is a very nice piece, and it shoots way over your TT. It can accommodate any and all of the cartridges mentioned here, from Sure to Koetsu. Is it one of the best phono stages ever? - definitely not, but it is damn good one
4. If you are emotionally attached to that Rega, Ortofon Cadenza Bronze might be the best choice here of all mentioned cartridges, if you can (and want!) to shim your tonearm to properly accommodate it
5. Any kind of the upgrade you can think of, including rewire of the tonearm, is not going to suddenly make your tonearm a "giant killer". Heck, it will be bested by a modest Jelco...
Before I went to Koetsu, I played with all kinds of upgrades to Denon cartridges. Best results I achieved were with DL103R dressed in closed black Ebony body and rettiped by ESUK with their TOTL boron / Paratrace rebuild; it is much better than factory 103R, it bested my Ortofon Quintet Black. However, I bought Koetsu Black Gold line - to see what is all the talk about - more or less for the same reasons I started buying all the Denon cartridges worthy of rebuild...
Soon after, I sold of all of my other cartridges - Ortofon, Clearaudio, Sumiko, Denon... Now, my daily driver is Koetsu Rosewood Signature. Is it the most "correct" cartridge I ever had? - no. Most expensive? - no. But with it, I enjoy music the most.
So, save a bit more and invest your money into the turntable, tonearm AND cartridge upgrade. It does not have to be something really extravagant, exotic and expensive - but it might. When it makes you forget your system, you are there.

Wise words.