Need some help picking my first MC Cartridge


I have recently purchased an Icon PS1 Mk II tube Phono Preamp. and was thinking of purchasing a seperate MC cartridge and head to interchange with my Nagoaka MP 300 MM cartridge, which I am very happy with. This is my first MC Cartridge so this is more of a chance to compare MC versus MM Cartridges. Some suggestions have been Denon 103 or the Hana Red, The Icon Preamp has a fixed MC load setting of 100 ohms. The Sansui SR 525 Direct Drive Turntable that I will be using has an interchangeable cartridge head, so VTA height, tracking weight, anti-skating adjustments may be required for each cartridge but should not take more than 20 minutes to adjust. I have read that some low output cartridges may be preferable to high output, but I am not sure how this matches up with the Icon Preamp. I am a little in the weeds here with the technical information when it comes to cartridges so be gentle.

My listening preference is more to the musical / warm vinyl side. Gear: Tube preamp, Class "A" amp , alternating with a tube Integrated, Wilson Benesch Square 2 Speakers, Rel Subs (x2). I split my listening about 50/50 Vinyl/Digital.

My Budget is up to $1500.00

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On the Ariston RD11S I have the Denon 103 on a Grace 707 arm. I have several 103's in reserve, including a rare gold-body 50 year commemorative version. Other Denon's I have are the 301 and the 304.  They are good sounding reliable mc cartridges.

Just keep in mind that the Nagaoka MP series of cartridges are Moving Iron types, not MM. While you are at the task of selecting a new MC type, maybe consider also upgrading from MP300 to MP500.

I don't think that going from MP300 to MP500 is much of an improvement! While getting a good LOMC cartridge certainly is!

Your phonostage has 70 db's of gain, so you can use LOMC >.2Mv or so.

Audio Technica ART9 XA . Look to the XA not ART9XI(you could use either one, and be pleased) 

Audio-Technica AT-ART9XA Moving Coil Cartridge | LP GEAR

Plenty of archive praise for the ART9. Look it up.

A taste of "high end" LOMC at a "reasonable" price.

Do we even know if the OP’s phono stage is equipped with the step up transformer needed for employing a low output MC?  Something warm is the sound being sought, does that mean warmer than the Nagaoka?  If so, perhaps something from the Ortofon Quintet line, like the Orange.