Upgrade from Ortofon 2M Red to MC-1?

A high output MC cartridge must be avoided (in general), if you want an MC look for LOMC (Low Output), there is only disadvantages of high output compared to the low output if you undertsnad the principle of Moving Coil.

I think an upgrade over your MM cartridge could be a IM or MI cartridge, something like ADC TRX-2 with Sapphire cantilever (IM = Induced Magnet) or Grado Signature XTZ (MI = Moving Iron). The output of both is just like MM, but you can replace the stylus by yourself (you can not do that with Ortofon MC).

I think you can easily upgrade your MM to much better MM like the Grace F-14 BR/MR (absolutely killer).

Have you ever tried an MI or IM cartridges ? Watch SoundSmith lecture and he will explain why MI is always better than any MC.

Thanks, chakster, I appreciate your input.

Find yourself a good used Pickering XV15 (MI) and order a new stylus for it, the 1200 version, from LP Gear. This is a high profile stylus that sounds and tracks superbly. I have several quality MM and MI cartridges (Ortofon (2M Black), Nagaoka (MP110, 150 and 200), Shure (m97xe, V15IV), Stanton (800s), Grado (Sonata) and Pickering (XSV3000 and 4000)) and, by far, the XV15 sounds superior to all of them.