Goldring E3 vs Audio-Technica VM540ML - Fresh vinyl and old vinyl with IGD test

Comparing two different turntable cartridges, ~100€ price difference. Both are incredible value for money and great upgrade especially for a budget setup. I love the Goldring E3, but I had read from many sources that carts with line contact or microlinear styli would be great especially when playing older, more worn (but not abused!) records and records with lots of inner groove distortion. It so happens that great majority (maybe 99%) of my vinyls are bought second hand and most of them were pressed in the 1970s and 1980s. So I decided to try out the much recommended Audio-Technica VM540ML, which is propably the priciest cart worth buying considering my otherwise pretty modest listening setup. My own feeling after comparing these carts with various material: even though the VM540ML sounds amazingly good and seems to be the better choice for a guy like me who likes loads of detail in their listening, the E3 is still worth keeping as an alternative. It&such a well balanced and warm sounding cart, and certainly not fatiguing to listen to! The most obvious reason for preferring the VM can be heard on the video: it can magically make older pressings that sounded past their prime days with the E3 suddenly sound like almost new. And I&repeatedly impressed by the stylus&ability to eliminate the IGD almost completely on most records. Both carts were using the recommended tracking force of 2.0 g, measured with a digital stylus-force gauge. Recording gear: Audio-Technica...