New Phono Cart with Character Needed

Flat, clinical and dry could be a tonearm/cartridge setup issue such as VTA, alignment, etc. 

I’m partial to SoundSmith cartridges, although in my experience, they tend to be neutral and very accurate. If you’re looking for a cartridge that adds color or ‘warmth’, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Here’s a good article on how to select a cartridge, https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/how-choose-cartridge

There are some that say that their analog and digital systems sound the same. I don’t know how this is possible any more than an apple and an orange is the same. 

I like them both but not necessarily for all recorded music. I also listen to a lot of jazz that was originally recorded in the 50’s and 60’s. Most of the time I prefer the vinyl LP if it’s in excellent shape. 

At that price point a Moving Magnet cartridge is going to be better. I think the Goldring 1042 will meet your needs. The Clearaudio MM cartridges are also on the warm side. IMHO moving coil cartridges do not come into their own until the $3K mark. 

I’m very open to moving from MC to MM or MI.  Thanks.