New Phono Cart with Character Needed

@rauliruegas 

I think usually when people are looking for a "warm" sound they are looking for an amplitude response that is tilted towards the low end or in other words the OP is trying to avoid a bright cartridge. Perhaps his system is already on the bright side and he is trying to melo it out. I have not heard the Nagaoka MP500, but my understanding is it neutral leaning towards bright. It is certainly a fine cartridge. Lew certainly likes it. 

I just ordered a Soundsmith Hyperion MR. Got an amazing deal on it. The highlight of my childhood life was getting a new cartridge. Some kids never grow up:-)

With the Rega P3, you will always be rather limited. The Rega I dealer that I dealt with recommended Linn cartridges with Rega, and I can confirm that the Linn Krystal sounded much better than the stock Rega cartridge in my Rega P8. Try calling Accent on Music in Mt Kisco, NY. They were very helpful to me when I owned a Rega. I would go with their recommendation, as they have many years of experience with Rega. Realistically, you will want to upgrade your turntable eventually…

Weak link is the Rega table.  Trade it in on a real turntable / arm combo.  

"Forward! Into the Past!"

🤦‍♂️ ;)  I got spoilt by a MC cart long ago.....about as long as seeing 'MI' to describe a cart....

As for what's available....runs the same gambit as choice of speakers....which intimates listening to the umpteenth power to different ones' on different arms through different equip in different spaces....

...and budget, or >pick your ceiling<... ;)

Happy listening....

I think I’m starting to lean toward the Soundsmith Carmen mklI. I’ve always heard good things about SoundSmith. Pass Labs says it would be a fine match for the XP17.