What phono cartridge is suited for metal and heavy rock?

System and room dependent (check out my system for more details). In my set up I like Hana EL. I’ve been spinning Slayer and Metallica last few days. No complaints. Plenty dynamic and detailed. The EH (High Output) should also work. 


 

Those are some interesting suggestions, To be honest I hadn't heard of Hana or Sumiko before.

It probably depends on your own preferences more than the specific genre. I do very much like MC cartridges because they’re so detailed and lively. But I tend to prefer the warmer voiced MC cartridges like Koetsu, Benz, Shelter. I really enjoy these cartridges with some heavy metal, but some might prefer that music with a more tipped-up sound.

The 2M Blue is indeed slightly bright, especially compared to the 2M Red (which is vastly inferior to the Blue, overall) but it certainly doesn’t have the detail or drive of a good MC. The Ortofon Cadenza Red is kind of a good analogue for the 2M Blue in MCs - slightly lean, slightly tipped up, but great drive and detail that can be a lot of fun with rock & metal. Then the Cadenza Bronze model takes that and adds warmth, and fullness (at a higher cost) - even better IMO. That said, a good deal on an imported Benz (audiogon ads) is gonna be hard to beat for the money and I do really enjoy some heavy metal on them.

I’ve enjoyed stylus profiles from plain elliptical to extreme micro lines / micro ridges / etc so I wouldn’t get too hung up on that. What IS important is to get a nude stylus (which your 2M Blue already sports). And cantilever material will probably have a bigger impact on sound than the stylus profile.

Phono stage (or SUTs) is gonna become an even bigger deal with MCs.

The 2Mblack is good for everything.

Don’t know about sonically, but visually the Ortofon MC A95 looks like it should play heavy metal well