For anyone interested, I've got the original VPI/Grado Green collab cart back on the Cliffwood, stepped up to an MCZ stylus this time, and now that we're past break-in, I can confidently say it's the best the table has sounded. Keep it simple. This cart was designed for this deck. The MCZ IMO is well worth the extra bucks over the 8MZ, which is fantastic in its own right. Channel balance is the best it's ever been with such a limited arm, sound is very controlled while being engaging and exciting. All those adjectives you love - detail, separation, etc etc. Think I'm done messing around with this setup!
Next up - when the VM95ML goes on the StudioDeck, will toss the Grado Platinum on there to see what it yields in MoFi land.