New Phono Cart with Character Needed

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. 

I was in search for a replacement for my original Stanton 981HZS and after going through Denon, AT, Ortofon, Goldring, and various stylus re-tipping options and reading feedback...I settled on the Nagaoka MP200.  If I was in your shoes I would seriously consider the MP500 which has the same boron cantilever but goes to a line contact diamond instead of the nude superfine elliptical on mine.  The time I heard one it sounded slightly brighter with same warmth to my ears...but yours may vary. Good luck.