I Just read your comments and thought it best to reach out with some "data" and thoughts. I was using the Realistic version of a Shure V type for a few years and loved the velvety neutrality but started hearing strident distortion on single notes of solo piano. I had a new Grado Prestiege Blue with about an hour on it , so I switched them out...The Grado was solid but no aspect of the frequency spectrum was remarkable. I even thought I had tracking angle problems because of the reedy
thin( to my ears) top end. I thought maybe the stylus wasn't seated fully in the groove.
Enter the Ortofon as a freebie yesterday. ( my source ordered his usual stock, one came through sans stylus, factory sent a replacement stylus, and a new cartridge as an apology?? So I got lucky as my friend at the shop hooked me up).
Instantly everything in the spectrum was cleaner, bigger and more dynamic, with really good bottom end slam and quick transients, with really pleasing bottom end bloom and a touch of compression that I love on drums.
I think a great deal of this is perfect symmetry between the The Red , the Dual 1229 Q's tonearm, the Marantz 2240's phono pre, and the Marantz 140 powering the large Advents.
It seems like everything is complimenting the next stop down the line..my point being the Grado may be great but not with this line up, especially the Dual tone arm and the Marantz pre. This rig with the Shure Cart and CD source is warm on the low end and smooth on the top. The thinness and lack of any midrange complexity was a red flag with the Grado on my rig but might it might be great on another pre amp, TT etc. I'm not dissing the Grado, it just did suit my signal chain.
Just some thoughts to help you sort your situation out. I'm really conservative with gear choices, that usually lean to vintage, but I don't know your rig so I have no idea what your are trying to enhance or fix. Hope some of this helps..