Tonearm/Cartridge pairing.

@martinguitars , Never assume the settings on a pre calibrated arm are accurate. Always measure. Same holds for specifications which is why a test record (HiFi News Analog Test Record) is so important. Never assume. Measure!

The bearings on a tonearm can get pretty bad before you can notice it by feel. There is no easy way to tell if they are OK. The WallySkater is the only way I know of and it is $250. 

Why don’t you ask a technics dealer what they recommend for your TT?  Believe me, they have no desire to sell you something you want to send back. In the old days, I used a Denon 103, and it really sounded good to me. 

With all due respect, If you're interested enough to post here about a vague sense that you are not getting the most out of your cartridge, then you also ought to make the effort to learn a little bit about the intricacies of vinyl so you become better equipped to make the most out of what you have.  It's really not "rocket science", nor is the study of the art an indication of prissiness (as you imply with your remark about MF).  It's kind of fun and sometimes rewarding, you may find.

The goldring is a relatively short cartridge from base to tip and most aftermarket headshells place the cartridge higher and further from the platter than the stock headshell. 

in other words you may very likely have a tail up condition which will not sound good.

try to adjust the vta dial so that the top of the cartridge is perfectly level with the platter.  

if you cannot lower the tonearm far enough use the stock headshell.  

there is nothing wrong with the stock headshell, it is well engineered for stifness, low resonance and low mass. 

@lewm 
 

I am 69 and had my first 'serious' turntable in 1975. There surely is something I still have to learn, but it's not to become a vinyl nut, spending my days measuring, balancing, testing, weighing, comparing... spending.
 

Thanks for your remark, but your don't really know what I actually know I fear.
Regards

M