While I tried a large number of cartridges over the years, one I was always happy to come back to was the Stanton 681. For most of those years, I used an LP12 with Ittok arm and the phono stage built into my Linn LK1 preamp, but it also sounded good on turntables from BIC, Garrard, and Thorens using a cheap Pioneer integrated amp. At one point I had upgraded to Stanton's low output 981LZ, but when that stylus was discontinued, I mounted a new 681EEE Mk III with no subjective loss of listening satisfaction. Even my Linn dealer was impressed, though he made some good-natured jokes about it prior to hearing it for himself.
With a Well Tempered Record Player I bought about nine years ago, the Grado Statement Platinum1 proved to be my favorite, using Grado's own phono stage (and used with Audio by Van Alstine amplification and Vandersteen speakers to take advantage of the Grado's strengths in stereo effects). For some reason never discovered, the WTRP hummed using the Audio by Van Alstine phono stage; Grado's own phono stage solved the hum issue and allowed the use of their lower output cartridge line.
At present, I'm using a Rega RP3 and the phono stage in the Audio by Van Alstine preamp, and the cartridge that seems to mesh perfectly for me is the Shure M97xE with stock stylus. The sound is natural, dynamic, and engaging, with flawless tracking and an absence of anything I find annoying or irritating. The equipment doesn't call attention to itself, making the music all that more absorbing. At this point, and having auditioned half a dozen cartridges in this setup, I can't imagine better sound than what I'm getting from the M97xE.
With a Well Tempered Record Player I bought about nine years ago, the Grado Statement Platinum1 proved to be my favorite, using Grado's own phono stage (and used with Audio by Van Alstine amplification and Vandersteen speakers to take advantage of the Grado's strengths in stereo effects). For some reason never discovered, the WTRP hummed using the Audio by Van Alstine phono stage; Grado's own phono stage solved the hum issue and allowed the use of their lower output cartridge line.
At present, I'm using a Rega RP3 and the phono stage in the Audio by Van Alstine preamp, and the cartridge that seems to mesh perfectly for me is the Shure M97xE with stock stylus. The sound is natural, dynamic, and engaging, with flawless tracking and an absence of anything I find annoying or irritating. The equipment doesn't call attention to itself, making the music all that more absorbing. At this point, and having auditioned half a dozen cartridges in this setup, I can't imagine better sound than what I'm getting from the M97xE.