Hi,
you say:
>>> there is such a huge difference between the level of detail between the two carts <<<
and
>>> The 2M sounds muddy, bright, and is lacking detail big time <<<
I have a small problem with "muddy" and "bright" all at once, but lets see.
All the above suggestions are valid, yet I have heard far to little on the VTA/SRA being gone into.
Firstly what stylus does your Ruby have? If is a 'parabolic' type (now more often Shiabata, etc.) and it sounded good, I suspect your VTA was arm down from level, (1 - 1.5mm?) that's what this type of stylus most often likes best.
Next look at your 2M Red, and there we do know it is an 'elliptical' stylus and those like arm up (positive SRA/VTA). If I'm right, then those two carts are diametrically opposed in their VTA/SRA setting requirements.
This could mean a difference of 4mm or even more that with the 2M Red the arm *could* need to go up!
If you are not aware of this and you are trying within a much narrower range, you would not come right.
It is just a hunch, since I can not find the stylus spec for your Grace, as it is rather old --- but considered one of the top MMs, still by today's standards (I'm told).
Greetings,
Axel