Upgrade from Rega Elys 2


I'm fairly new to the game - system includes a Rega P3, MoFi phono stage, Rega Brio, and Dynaudio Excite X18s. Essentially a desktop system. Looking for a possible upgrade from the Elys 2 cartridge that came as a package deal on the P3. Trying to stay around the $500 mark and wanting suggestions. Thanks. 
audiosavage1
Hello,
I’ve had a 2M Black on my Rega for a awhile and loved it. It has tons of detail, great dynamics, and generates a robust signal that lowers the perceived noise floor. All in all, a fantastic cart.
Regards,
Oran
So here's the question:

Moving coil or moving magnet? Answering that question will (maybe) narrow down the choices. Also - shims to me aren't an issue (well - they might be - I've never dealt with them before - but I wouldn't mind fiddling with them). I just want compatibility with the tonearm / head I also told my wife that I'd be looking at a new cartridge and she didn't balk, so the search can move forward full speed ahead.
And I don't think that the Elys is bad - but I think the system is capable of quite a bit more and the source needle / cartridge is the easiest thing to change. 
Oranfoster,
On a Rega table, do all Ortofon 2M series cartridges require the same 2mm shim size? 
@audiosavage1 - Once I replaced the Elys 2 with the Denon DL103, I started thinking of the next mod’

I thought maybe adding a one piece harness - it may breath new life into my TT/cartridge.

Cost is around $450
- I started with this upgrade and it was pretty good - for a couple of years :-(

Then a friend told me about the Audiomods arm that comes with the one piece harness
http://www.audiomods.co.uk/

It uses a Rega Arm tube - but the similarities stop right there - the rest of the arm is completely re-designed/built to exacting standards!

I bought the Audiomods "Classic" arm (bead-blasted) and was extremely glad I did. It finally allowed me to hear what my cartridge was really capable of.

Great to look at, extremely high level of craftsmanship and superb abilities and performance is what makes this arm something of a "keeper"

Other Rega owners I know are extremely happy with their Audiomods.

If I had my time over again - I’d skip straight to the Audiomods. It made the most amazing difference to my analogue rig - even with an unmodified Denon DL103 on the end - add a shim, and you’ll be in heaven.

Like most people - I had a budget, so I went with the one piece harness. But hindsight being 20/20, it turns out the harness upgrade was a bit of a waste of funds.

Here’s my Audiomods are on the TT
http://image99.net/blog/files/f233eea773cbc47d311b80d32702da48-40.html

And here’s a worthwhile Denon DL103 Tweak - cost - $12.50

http://image99.net/blog/files/23c020f75290d3392577113371f4dc94-38.html

I now have a Denon DL103 modified by Soundsmith (with a shim) and it is superb - I haven’t even bothered looking for another cartridge.

Sorry for perhaps creating confusion, but being someone that was once in your very position - I thought I’d share one of my mistakes and a couple of my successes.

BTW - the Audiomods should also improve on the performance of your Elys 2

Damn me now - thank me later :-)..