Which MM, MI, or Hi output...Nagaoka 300/500, Clearaudio Maestro, Soundsmith Carmen

I own the much vaunted Nagaoka cartridge, boring and dull, no life.

Much prefer the Soundsmith range to the Nagaoka's in a variety of arms.

I have not heard the Clearaudio.

I purchased some 78 styli for my Nagaoka's to play 78's - seems ok for that purpose.

@dover, 

I don't know what you did to your Nagaoka, but the last things I would call it would be boring, dull and lifeless.

I've got the Soundsmith cart. and the Nagaoka MP-200. Have had both for a long time in my system and I can tell you from my own experience that the Nag. will kick the crap out of that Soundsmith.

Now, I know what I said was my opinion, bur I feel you would have to go up to "The Voice" in the Soundsmith line to get a better cart. And in that case, I would opt for the Lyra Delos.

I have a Soundsmith Sussurro MkII (just below the Hyperion in their range) and the MP-500 is easily better in my system. It is also clearly better than the Grado Statement 3 that I also have. I'd say it is just a bit better than the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze and Kontrapunkt C. The London Decca Reference can best it though.

But that's my ear and my system.

My favourites for an MM-input of the phonopre are:

HO-MC: Jico Seto Hori

MI: Acoustical Systems Fideles

MM: Vintage MM from Victor, Sony or Grace