Cartridge Advice Please

On my all tube ARC system, I really 

like the Lyra Delos.

If a 0.4mv cart is causing you to have issues with hum, I suggest you have other more pressing issues.  I have three carts currently in use, two Sound Smiths and a Hana, all 0.4mv and all dead silent through my ARC SP-14.  I use Parasound JC3+ phono amps and attribute the silence largely to them.  Using a higher output cart to minimize hum is only a bandaid.  Where the problem lies in your system, cables, pre amp or phono pre amp is something you need to determine, but the cart is not the problem.

@jjss49  - Thanks, will do some research on dynavector

@tablejockey - Good idea to keep AT in mind.  I see lots of positive things and big fans of their high end cartridges.  That ART-20 does seem like a good candidate to keep an eye out for a dealj

@jperry - I failed to share my budget but that would definitely be above : )    I am hoping to stay around $2000-$3000.  I was not familiar and read a nice review fro the absolute sound where it was compared to Koetsu.  Also learned of the connection between the two companies so will definitely pay more attention to this brand....thanks!

@mijostyn - noted from above...definitely on my radar now...thanks

@danmar123 - not familiar but I will do some research...thanks

@mulveling - you bring up points regarding the Benz line that I am unaware and you may be right that I am looking for more of a change.  Koetsu Rosewood Signature is definitely one that gets my attention.  I really wasn't sure what to expect from Ortofon.  One of my friends has had many over the years and the Lyra Helikon is his favorite but a bright presentation is definitely not what I am after.  Another nod to MSL...that seems to be the theme here..thanks

@ghdprentice - you must have thought my '2SE' meant the older PH2.  No, I said the full REF lineup, just didn't type REF for each piece : )

@macg19 - I haven't heard of Aidas but will do some research, thanks

@audioguy85 - I love my Kiseki but can't tame the beast to stop lol...hope you like the Ortofon

@lewm - I went all through the load settings and didn't help matters;  I talked to Peter on the phone.  He came across a bit arrogant as he would NOT fathom the possibility there was a problem with his beloved cartridge..it had to be me or my system.  The fact that several other cartridges all played as expected based on their output and his cartridge was the outlier was left as my problem.  I bought it from a dealer with a warranty and he said there was no need to return it to be assessed.  I also talked to him before buying and his attitude was much different so I lost a lot of respect for him in that experience, sold it and moved on.  I would still use them for a re-tip but would not purchase another SS cartridge.

@hotei - I will try a Lyra some day....still looking for the right deal : )  thanks

@jdougs - Not simply saying a 0.4mV cart causes noise, this was isolated to the SS cart

Given your price range I think your best choice would be a Lyra Delos. The least expensive cartridge MSL makes is the Eminent EX and it retails for $4000. If you get it from a site with a trade in program you might be able to get that down $500.

You hardly ever see MSL cartridges used. I would not hold out for that. 

I have ART1000, Ortofons Verismo and Anna, amongst others, mounted on Simon Yorke S10.

All are very truthful and have wonderful tonality.  The Anna has a little more authority and dynamics, if you like that, but you need a hi-mass arm to balance out its weight, rather than my Aeroarm.  It is mounted on my SY Zarathustra with Zeta..  Verismo lies between the other two and is my main go-to.

If you want a little more life (not Koetsu life, but more dynamics) then try hi-end van den Huls, of which I have three.