Cart Recommendations

The Soundsmith cartridge doesn't sound like its presentation is in your favorable wishes.  The Ortofon Winfield is an excellent cartridge, almost their highest level....but it has no sound of its own (which is why I like it).  The Benz LPS is more "organic" which is what you seem to prefer on your post.  The Winfield I got new was 3k....a steal at the price.

Every cartridge has a 'sound' of its own. And every other component. And every instrument. I never chase the abstraction of neutrality. Those who do will enevitably be disappointed and end up with sterile sounding system.

Thanks everyone for the responses and providing detail to your recommendations.  I'll try to narrow

Best of luck, theothergreg.  There is a lot of good options out there.

Yes, there are many good options which is good and bad.  Apparently I am so overwhelmed that I could not even complete my response above!

Anyway, I wish there were more places where I could audition the carts mentioned above.  I'll audition the Benz Gullwing and LPS as well as the Ortofon Cadenza Black and Bronze next week.  The Paua is interesting, too, so will see if I can find a place to audition that.

I can't find a place that has the ART 9, but may pick one up since the cost of entry is very reasonable so the risk in trying one is very low.