Good topic, tonearm/cartridge synergy is a crucial factor often overlooked in discussions about what tonearm is best or what cartridge is best. Without taking their interaction into account any recommendation of either is rather - eh - pointless.
You have a great 'point' of departure, as the Reed 3P and VdHul cartridges have great synergy. I've been using the 3P with a Colibri XPW Blackwood for years and this has remained my reference. But I became curious to hear other cartridges so I decided to add another tonearm to my Micro RX-1500G turntable. Two tonearms in fact, Fidelity Research FR-64S and Audiocraft AC-4400. Both equipped with SME bajonet to facilitate easy 'cart rolling'. The VdHul has remained the permanent resident of the 3P, because mounting and dismounting a Colibri is NOT my idea of having a good time!
Since then I've tried dozens of different cartridges in both arms. You never know exactly what to expect, but sometimes you hit on a combination that exceeds every possible expectation. One such case is the Phasemation P3G in the FR-64S. This relatively cheap low output MC (predecessor of the current PP-300, which I think still retails around $1500) magically 'explodes' in the FR arm. In dynamics, in soundstage size and depth and in bass extension. While the P3G also sounds very good in the AC-4400 and FR-64FX (another tonearm I use, but in a different system), in the 64S it moves into a completely different league, comparable to top end cartridges like the Colibri. These are the unexpected surprises that make vinyl playback so much fun.
Keep 'em coming.......
You have a great 'point' of departure, as the Reed 3P and VdHul cartridges have great synergy. I've been using the 3P with a Colibri XPW Blackwood for years and this has remained my reference. But I became curious to hear other cartridges so I decided to add another tonearm to my Micro RX-1500G turntable. Two tonearms in fact, Fidelity Research FR-64S and Audiocraft AC-4400. Both equipped with SME bajonet to facilitate easy 'cart rolling'. The VdHul has remained the permanent resident of the 3P, because mounting and dismounting a Colibri is NOT my idea of having a good time!
Since then I've tried dozens of different cartridges in both arms. You never know exactly what to expect, but sometimes you hit on a combination that exceeds every possible expectation. One such case is the Phasemation P3G in the FR-64S. This relatively cheap low output MC (predecessor of the current PP-300, which I think still retails around $1500) magically 'explodes' in the FR arm. In dynamics, in soundstage size and depth and in bass extension. While the P3G also sounds very good in the AC-4400 and FR-64FX (another tonearm I use, but in a different system), in the 64S it moves into a completely different league, comparable to top end cartridges like the Colibri. These are the unexpected surprises that make vinyl playback so much fun.
Keep 'em coming.......