First in line...

Infection-It all depends on system synergy which phono cartridge is best. The Transfiguration Axia S has IMO the highest ceiling of all the cartridges mentioned.

That table / arm / cart combo doesn't have any balls? Are you serious? That should NOT be the problem with that combo. I would suggest looking at your downstream electronics.

What's the rest of your system?

Ok I'm probably exaggerating a little saying it has no guts! But after conducting that comparison it's certainly lacking...although Shellac sounded pretty good...!

I'd suggest test driving a Herron VTPH-2 phono stage and a VTSP-2 line stage.

Were they nearly 4k new...? The cartridges on my shortlist are all cheaper than a used Herron...

Are there any owners of the aforementioned cartridges who could contribute their views please...??