If you love the Ortofon 2M Black, you'll really love...... (help me upgrade)

How do you even find one of those?

Hey Chakster, Yes I am aware of that. The ML170 & 180 are on my want list. Thanks 

Nagaoka MP-500? Audio Technica Art 9?

If you are willing to sacrifice just a little detail for warmth, liquidity and timbre I would suggest that you look at the Grado Reference Reference 2 (not a typo - that's the model). This is one of the best sleeper high output cartridges on the market.

I'm currently running the low-output variant of this, and had a 2M Black, that failed when the pins just pulled out of the body (out of warranty).

The Black is a fine cartridge, with a great amount of detail, but I prefer the Reference 2.  Lots of detail, but greater warmth and realism, to my ears.

The 2M Black is fine but there are plenty better. Nothing wrong with that, I just bought a zephyr Star, it sounds great but I know there are carts that are better just based on how many carts there are and a realistic understanding of where the zephyr starts sits in the grand scheme of things.

 Nag MP500, clearaudio maestro wood and maestro ebony. Clearaudio Concept Mc. All great carts that I enjoyed more than the black. Maybe even at 150mlx and shure m97xe.