No love for the Performance DC?

[mulveling]

Optimal cartridge matching will be much more a function of what tonearm you're running (and phono stage!), than the table. Of course the table may impose constraints on which tonearms can be mounted. Have you heard the Cadenza Bronze yet? It is very nice, and meets your criteria for a less aggressive sound. I've run it on Graham Phantom and heavier Fidelity Research arms; did well on both.

If you can get a good deal on a Shelter Accord (not even sure this model is still in production though). I like that even better than the Cadenza, with a very smooth non-fatiguing sound. The Shelter does very well on a CA Universal, and should be excellent on a new Tracer arm as well. Have not heard the Clearaudio MC cartridges, but I do not get an impression that they will be on the warm side of neutral.