Hi Paul

I originally bought a Blue stylus when the 2M Black was on my old RP6. The reasons were:

- One piece arm/headshell meant that I couldn’t easily swap cartridges around.

- I wanted something to play on less than perfect LPs or for background listening.

- A lower cost stylus for late night listening when I might have had one too many.

- Using the Blue stylus would prolong the life of the more expensive Black version.

I found that the 2M Blue stylus on the Black body gave a sound that is pretty close to the full 2M Black, much closer than the relative prices would suggest. It has slightly leaner bass but is pretty tight, treble is a little less refined but without distortion and only occasional sibilance. It tracks better on one or two LPs where the Black struggles for some reason and it drags out less surface noise. On my system it does sound very good on almost everything I play.

I have since aligned the cartridge to the Blue cantilever/stylus as this is the most commonly used configuration on that turntable, using the Black only occasionally. However, if this was my main table, I would probably do it the other way. 

If/when the Black stylus wears out, I will not replace it. When the Blue does, I will purchase another.

It's a very dynamic performer which suits my musical tastes - tight, deep bass, a well sorted midrange with extended, delicate treble. I have listened to Decca London cartridges and although the IQ3 doesn't pin you to your seat in the same way, it certainly shares some of the drama they are renowned for but without the pitfalls. 

It's less clinical than the 2M range and therefore listening has more emotional connection. Comparing the same LP with its CD counterpart via the Majestic DAC, the overall tonal balance is extremely close although it's certainly more lively in the way leading edges attack. It is as if you are sitting closer to every performance than with the 2M Black... itself by no means a slouch.

Soundstaging is excellent, as is tracking and alignment seems less critical than the 2M Black (I initially set it up using the Feickert device rather than the ultra-fussy Mint protractor & it sounded spot-on right away so that's how I've left it). I would say surface noise is also a little less apparent.

The IQ3 and 2 are extremely close sounding with the 2 slightly exaggerating scratchy (female) vocals, sibilance and things like violins on poorer recordings. The IQ3 handles treble better than any MM cartridge I have heard and has a great delicacy about it when paired with the Accession. Conversely, the 1042 Gyger stylus just sounds smooth and silky and I listen to that a lot when I'm in a mellow mood - not a huge difference to the IQs overall but with slower bass notes and more laid back treble. I use this combination a lot.

I was lucky to obtain a supposedly damaged IQ2 for £50 and easily repaired the twisted cantilever but the price for new IQs is pretty high so you need to be absolutely sure one of these would suit you (start with an IQ1 & upgrade styli later?). It's a pity you live so far away from me although there is a very friendly guy on HiFi Wigwam called Steve (Rmsshipbroker) with an all AN system including the IQ3 which I have heard. He lives in Sheffield which isn't too far from you & I am sure he would let you listen if you asked.

...One other thing... the arm I use with this cartridge is the Audiomods model V - Jeff Spall admits to using the Goldring 1042 during its development so I may be benefiting from a high degree of synergy given that Goldring build the IQs under license & the bodies are externally similar. 

(edited to remove the ASCII characters)