Clearaudio Classic Wood vs Grado Gold?

The Grado is more forgiving. It has a big midrange and a warmer sound. The Clearaudio will be more accurate, less forgiving and will not accentuate any frequency range. The Clearaudio has threaded holes so install is easier.

You may need to worry about Grado hum as Don mentioned. What is your phono stage and how do you like the 2M Red?

Well, I don't really have any reference points to compare cartridges with. But I don't dislike the sound of the 2M Red.
It sounds good. I don't find it fatiguing or anything. But I suppose it's probably not very warm if I understand that term correctly.

I am just using the phono stage in my DK Design Integrated amp right now. Although I am contemplating getting the Cambridge Audio 540P or the 640P.

My clearaudio wood had a factory defect. Stylus was mounted to the cantilever with a 20 degree forward tilt. I ended up buying a microscope and putting several tiny strips of paper between the front of the cartridge and the mount to achieve vta. It is quite amazing what you see through a pocket microscope laying on a pile of play-doh. The stylus on my (current) zyx cartridge is about 1/5 the size of the one that was in the clearaudio. It as been awhile for me, but read about sra, stylus rake angle. I learned a lot from that defective cartridge.