I haven't heard the Elys II, but I've heard the Exact on a P7 and was very impressed with its ease of presentation, air, detail, and musicality. It had detail but didn't beat you over the head with it. That said, I think (based on my experience listening to what I now own) that the Audio-Technica AT150MLX has a similar sonic signature to the Exact, but if you can put up with a conventional 2-point mounting system and some DIY alignment, the AT150MLX gives a run for the Exact's money (at least), but it can be had for $250 and--unlike the Rega MM carts--the stylus is replaceable at $179.95.
I had been running a Denon DL-160 into a vintage Amber Model 17 preamp. Then I decided to try a Cambridge 640p phono stage. I got a nice upgrade in resolution, extension, and especially s/n ratio. I heard so much more, it prompted me to try the AT150MLX. Now I felt like we were cookin' with gas. Finally, I felt that my speakers were holding the resolution of the system back so I upgraded to Mirage OMD-15s, and it turned out to be true.
With all those upgrades, the AT150MLX just kept sounding better, which means that it was (and is) tracking out the details and conveying the meat of the music. I'm getting a rich, full, lush sound largely because of the AT150MLX's speed, clarity, sonic perspective, separation, linearity, and extension at both frequency extremes.
I had been running a Denon DL-160 into a vintage Amber Model 17 preamp. Then I decided to try a Cambridge 640p phono stage. I got a nice upgrade in resolution, extension, and especially s/n ratio. I heard so much more, it prompted me to try the AT150MLX. Now I felt like we were cookin' with gas. Finally, I felt that my speakers were holding the resolution of the system back so I upgraded to Mirage OMD-15s, and it turned out to be true.
With all those upgrades, the AT150MLX just kept sounding better, which means that it was (and is) tracking out the details and conveying the meat of the music. I'm getting a rich, full, lush sound largely because of the AT150MLX's speed, clarity, sonic perspective, separation, linearity, and extension at both frequency extremes.