I tried an Ortofon Red with my vintage Thoren's TT. I hated it. Upgraded to a Nagaoka MP-200 and it sounds 10x's better. Blacker background, much more dynamic, great bass, much improved detail, smoother more liquid sound.

I found the Red bright, noisy and unrefined. I think it is way over hyped.

I also upgraded the tube in my Bellari phono preamp to a semi rare 1950's raytheon black plate which took the preamp to another level. I did not like the Bellari and went through a lot of tubes till I did some reading and found this tube. It totally transformed the sound.

My audiophile buddies are amazed at how good my vinyl sounds.

I think you cant underestimate at what a good cartridge and phono preamp can sound like.