Please help me choose a direction.

  I'm at a junction, do I upgrade down the MM path or go to the dark side?

For a good MI, but without a replaceable stylus, I think I would look at the Cartridge Man Music Master. This will set you back £1850.  Just bear in mind that the creator of this wonderful cartridge has sadly passed away.

Other options are the Nagaoka MP500, Audio Note IQ1, 2 or 3, AT VM760SLC, Grado Reference, Goldring 2400 and the 2M Black or Bronze, to name a few options.

   I agree with everything Kevin has said. Music Maker cartridges are a delight. Also, if you really like the sound of MM, why change at all? Is it possible to visit a few dealers and listen to what MC does, to make sure it's an improvement to your ears, not just a sideways "different"?

I used Ortofon 2M Bronze and Black interchangeably (same body, different stylus, meaning you can own both for the cost of one, plus a stylus) with a Reflex M. I was very happy for quite a while. The Black in particular had fantastic detail retrieval in addition to that "meat on the bones" thing MM does so well.

I then purchased an Elevator EXP because I was offered a Rega Apheta 2 at an excellent price. I really liked what it did - great rhythm, fantastic detail. However, it doesn't do quite the same solidity the MM's did. On balance though, I was hooked. That's what I mean by if you really like what MM does, a move to MC might be sideways.

I have since purchased an Accession MC and I'm in heaven. BUT!!! When this cartridge needs replacing it's going to be a LOT more expensive than buying another 2M Black stylus. Had I have stayed with MM, I'd own more records, so...

Go and listen to MC systems and see if you like it?

Good luck!

Mick.

I agree with ICL1P

I have the Ortofon 2M Bronze It's a bit on the bright side but in my system it sounds fine, some have had tracking issues with it but again it's been fine with me. I'm using it with Reflex M with PSU1 so with Accession MM it should sound even better. One person on this forum did have issues with tracking and replaced it with the Black because he liked the sound of the Bronze but got a bit more If you know what I mean.

Going MC is expensive and like above spending my money on more vinyl is more pleasurable.

Hope this helps you

Jonathan

One thing you might consider, is trying to get someone to lend you a spare MC cart, then borrowing the Elevator or one of the GS MC preamps to try things out in your own system. 

Alternatively, you could buy an MC, try it out with GS loaner gear, and if you don't like the result you can sell the MC cart at a small loss as a lightly used item. 

Great suggestion IMO

HOMC is certainly a way to dip one's toe in the water without buying extra equipment. 

The most popular HOMC I know of is the Denon DL-110, which IIRC costs around $200-250. Certainly an affordable entry point. 

And while I'm not personally a huge fan of the DL-110, a lot of folks are. 

I really like my Hana SL (I'm on the 2nd one now) and would certainly consider a Hana SH as Steve suggested above.

I was sat listening to the Verve Ella and Louis LP track "Can't We Be Friends" and just smiled with joy, what a great partnership and no thought about how much better it could sound with another piece of kit.

That said, I'm staying with MM at the moment and will take a very small step up the Audio Technica food chain with  VM540ML first as is and then with a modified cartridge body.

I'll keep you posted on how the two variants sounds

ll

I have been thinking of up grading but with Xmas come and money being tight I sat down the other day and listen to BANKS on vinyl and thought I'm going to spend my money on more music, I was liking what I was hearing and as I said previously I get more pleasure out of buying new music these days.

300BGB I think you are going the right way about it up grading in small steps that way you don't make a very expensive mistake as with going MC if you don't get what you thought you would get out of it. 

It is a beautiful sounding cartridge.
Knowing it is now irreplaceable after Len Gregory's sad passing, mine is used with extra care
and appreciation.

I'd also give a thumbs up for Soundsmith. I have a low output https://musicandvinyl.blogspot.com/search/label/Soundsmith%20Zephyr%20MIMC%20Star?view=flipcard - Zephyr but their high output models are great too.

In MC's defence I must say that the Ortofon Cadenza is the easiest cart I've had to install.

Parallel sides, an easily visible cantilever and threaded screw fixing holes make accurate setup
much easier than some. A good stylus guard helps & it isn't fussy about loading.

Some carts - some very expensive ones - with rounded bodies, barely visible cantilevers, no stylus guards, nut & bolt fixing etc. can be very tricky to setup.

This combination brings light into the darkness!

Comparing the Goldring Ethos to other great MC cartridges like VdH Colibri, Kiseki Purple Heart or Ortofon Cadenza Black, the treble is much more softer. Therefore my suggestion if you want to move to the dark side.  

The Goldring Ethos is a really great cartridge and a bargain compared to the cartridges I mentioned above.

Stephan

I wish you all a happy Christmas.

Stephan

Yes Bob, I’ve just discovered a couple of your vids with the Zephyr! Got me drooling you have, bad man 

Hana ML

Goldring Ethos

Audio Technical Art-9