Need New MM Cartridge Recommendation

After reading this thread I have a question. Paraneer, you mentioned the Nagaoka MP 500, which has interested me for a while. I run a BAT VK P10 Se phono stage which is capable for up to 80 DB gain, making it suitable for LOMC carts. My Fidelity Research MC 202 is really low output but sounds very musical.
Is the Nagaoka musical in the sense that it has the sweetness, or at least some smoothness found in my rather vintage sounding cart? Or would you consider it more dry and punchy.
Having heard a Clearaudio Maestro was not impressed with the musicality. Don't want that sound but would like to try another MM. Always chasing that improvement.

If you like Fidelity Research MC you should try FR-5E MM design from the master Ikeda San. This model also recommended by Jonathan Carr (designer of Lyra cartridges) in MM THREAD (i know it’s hard to read all 241 pages full of information about the world best MM cartridges). Worth to try.

I wonder why no one mentioned Australian Garrott Brothers MM cartridges - they are amazing. Not only legendary classic p-77 with Micro Tracer Diamond  (which i like a lot) and new p-77i with MicroScanner II stylus profile, but also their latest Optim and Optim Ruby with the most advanced Fritz Gyger stylus profile.

Dear dentdog: The quality performance levels on any cartridge has to be judged along the tonearm used with. This couple is that a couple and not all cartridges performs at its best in a tonearm, maybe the Maestro was not to happy with yours.

In the other side you posted and I respect what you said:

"""  Is the Nagaoka musical in the sense that it has the sweetness, or at least some smoothness """#

I don't know where you attend to listen live music and listened that " sweetness and smootness " you are talking about. Live music has a natural agresiveness that is far away from what you like. MUSIC is not that.

Forgeret about that kind of FR recomendation on vintage cartridges. If you want a vintage MM experience try to find at least an Acutex 320. The other recomendation on Victor is a waist of time because SAS stylus replacement are no longer in production from 3 months now.

Btw, the OP of this thread already bought Ortofon many posts ago and maybe some of you did not read it because follow making recomendations.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R. 

After 72 hours with the Ortofon 2m Black, here are my initial thoughts.

This is a great cartridge.  It's got power and dynamics galore.  There is, however, a noticeable increase in surface noise, as compared to my Roksan Corus Black (previous cart it replaced).  The Roksan (made by Goldring to Roksan's specs) was quite a cart and so is this one.  The Roksan may have had a bit more finesse with detail and making certain jazz records sound holographic.  

That said, the Ortofon is terrific.  There is great tight bass with slam.  The cartridge feels like it wants me to have a party.  Very fun listen, not fatiguing or overly bright.  It has also been forgiving on records that the Roksan cast to the side as thin or not well produced.  

I guess you could say that it could have more detail, yet it makes up for that in terms of putting forth one cohesive presentation of sound throughout the spectrum.  Nothing is missing.  

I haven't had a chance to play more than 10-12 albums on it.  And I haven't pulled my speakers out into the room for true critical listening position.  I'm going to run her in a bit and post a formal review.  

Make no mistake though--this is a fantastic cartridge.  I'd be curious to see if the $350-$400 Audio Technica could compete.  $750 is rich for a moving magnet.  I'm enjoying it so I won't over think it.