Dear @noromance : Normally cartridge quality level performance is dependent of the whoile audio system. I don't like the Linn TT and ceratinly the 401 it's better with the rigth tonearm.
" Decca cartridges with claimed musically superior results. .."
Decca and MC2000 are way different performers and that " musically " reference you post speaks as an audiophile preference and not necessary about MUSIC because MUSIC is not " musically ", this term is an audiophile one.
Btw, that " hin " characteristic you listen it is not intrisecal to the MC2000 and speaks more that the used tonearm was not really a good cartridge mate.
In the other side,that vintage cartridge is really good but I can't say excellent as is the Etna SL or other today top cartridges. MC2000 is not an easy cartridge to achieve its best quality performance, it goes against what in analog we already learned: it's extremely low output, heavy cartridge and way high compliance. Certainly not " user friendly ".
R.