MC suggestions


I have long been a Grado fan.  Currently running a Statement Reference v2.  I love it, but.  I auditioned the Ortofon Quintet Black and the Dyna 17d3 and the Benz Glider and while each were excellent in their way, the overall feeling, despite being faster and transparent left me wanting, I was happy enough with my Grado. Id like to take another crack at this now. What I am looking for at this point and I hope you guys can make some suggestions, is a cleaner, and more live sound. This combined with a nice sense of space and width to the soundstage.  Is this asking a lot in my price range which is 2.5k(ish)?  I am of the opinion after spending sometime trying to figure this out, that an el34 based tube amp combined with the Grado cart are just too similar in voicing(warm).  I had hope that running a ss phono stage combined with the low output statement would be just the synergy.  It definitely moved the needle in the right direction and I could live happily if I didn't think I could push it a little farther in the detail direction without losing what I love about the Grado sound.  That is primarily it is not brittle, its natural sounding, nice soundstage all around.  Perhaps if I had solid state amplification it would be a synergistic match made in heaven.  Some carts I have been thinking about are VAS, Miyajima, Dyna(I did really like the 10x5 I listened to at one point).  Not to rule out Lyra but would be worried about the thinness I've read about from some users.  Grado fans seem a little few and far between and I wonder if there are previous fans who have moved on.  Maybe I just need to have a couple carts around and their is no one right cart. I have hesitated pursuing a cart change because my system has been tuned to Grado's sound but if I can get close with another company making MC's that wouldn't call for recalibrating my rig that much would be great.  Thanks for reading and sorry to be so long winded.
128x128fourwnds
@racedoc : the DS - E1 is not an mc cartridge! It is a photoelectric transducer - no coils and magnets! 

@roberjerman

I know very well what kind of cartridges DS Audio produces.
Since the DS-W1 was introduced, I have DS Audio in my
system comparing with the top level of MCs.

I would rate e.g. the DS-002 higher than a Lyra Atlas SL.
For half the price including a phono stage...
Air Tight PC 7 detailed and lots of air. Very stiff. you might have to add weight.Best for classical.
Clearaudio Stradavari V2 Great tracker, very dynamic. Great for Jazz and Rock.
Ortofon Cadenza Gold. Great tracker, Neutral(accurate) Most like the Grado here. Sounds good with any thing.
Lyra Delos most like the Clearaudio not quite as dynamic maybe a little more detailed.
I had a Grado Statement for 10 years. For me to run a cartridge that long is severely atypical. It's little wires finally let go. I will surely get another at some point