Looking for a new phon cartridge


I have a J Sikora Initial Max Turntable with a J Sikora tonearm.  My phono stage is a Sutherland Dual.  My amp and preamp are PrimaLuna 400s.  I also have Devore Gibbon X speakers.

I am looking to replace my Hana Umami Blue cartridge which has worn out.  While I enjoyed the Umami, I found it to be a little too "hot" at times.  

I am looking for a cartridge that emphasizes natural sound over extreme detail.  My price range is under $3000.

Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

walt8489

I've had a fair number of high end cartridges from the likes of Lyra and Airtight- usually their top models. The Koetsus- particularly the stone bodies- a Jade and Tiger Eye- really made a qualitative difference in the dimensionality and tone of the bass---something that was unexpected, given the older mythology of the Rosewood that was first brought into the States as a offering a "technicolor" midrange and little else. I think you do benefit from tonearm mass on these cartridges. I'm not daunted by the fact that the company is gone- Expert has a good reputation as does Ana Mighty in France. These cartridges play extremely well on my Airline arm which has considerable horizontal mass. @Lewm- I assume Expert preserved the factory cantilever and only replaced the stylus with appropriate adjustments. 

 

I will add Dynavector to your list, either XX2 or Rua.

koetsu should be great too, love my rosewood sig .

 

Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions.  I'm leaning toward an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze.