Highest detail cartridges

@atmasphere +1  though I have heard some significant differences in cartridges even with the most careful set-up I can provide.  I'm currently using a Lyra Clavis DC with a new cantilever and stylus (from Soundsmith) that is outperforming its predecessor OC9/II.  Everything downstream is the same.  After hearing the rebuilt Lyra with all the additional detail, I became interested in other carts that might provide as good or better detail.  Since that time, I have decided to just stick with the Clavis DC as long as it will work to its current level.

I agree that some less expensive cartridges can provide superb performances, and also that careful setup and arm matching is critical.  

Of the carts that are being mentioned I own three of them: the Lyra Delos, The ART-9, and the Soundsmith MIMIC Star. Personally I like the Delos the best, it has slightly more weight and better punch than the others, it also sounds more like real music to me. The ART-9 comes in 2nd, and sounds 90% of the Delos, just not as dynamic and maybe a little less detail, I mean a little. Finally the MIMIC Star is a good sounding cart but next to the other two it sounds a bit tame, soft and no where near as dynamic as the others. The MIMIC Star is OK, but for the price I was slightly disappointed in how it sounds. YMMV

Dear @bpoletti :   Highest detail ?. The overall frequency range is to wide to ask " detail " in all the range.

In my experiences what really make a differences for the better always are cartridge with good detail at both frequency extremes, both frequency ranges are the  frame of the whole music. and taking in count both frequency extremes my choice is the Colibri by a wide margin:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis91i48-van-den-hul-colibri-xgp-gold-lw-new-latest-version-cartri...

Overall very hard to beat. Obviously that will be " limited " for the other audio items the Colibri is surrounded, well as any other cartridge but the Colibri is maybe more demandant than others.

R.

Ortofon Cadenza Blue.  Stunningly good cartridge with the right phono preamp.    

Chakster, Based on your own observations, it would seem that there is a dissociation between low "moving mass" and high levels of "detail retrieval", the latter being a very subjective judgement that requires a consensus among many listeners to be taken seriously, I think.  I know you like your Grado XTZ, but given its age, it is probably not advisable to take its performance as a paradigm for all other MI or IM types.  (I think those Grados are more properly thought of as IM [Induced Magnet], like my Acutex LPM320 and M320.)  My own Grado TLZ ain't what it used to be.  You also mentioned ZYX cartridges as being detailed; I would agree.