AR XA turntable needs new cartridge...

If you are going to stick with the AR XA turntable in as is condition with original tonearm, you would be best advised either to buy another M97XE or something similar in a similar low price category. That's only my opinion, of course.  You may not get a noticeable improvement in fidelity by mounting a more expensive cartridge on the tonearm on that TT.  I'm sure others can suggest inexpensive cartridges that compete wtih the Shure, in their opinion.

IMHO, I’d either buy a stylus for the Shure, (it’s still a very good cart) or buy a new Goldring E3. My favorite cart under $300 or so. I love mine. Pretty damn sweet!

The original XA had a silicone oil damped vertical bearing, and a simple sleeve horizontal bearing.  Even if you have maintained these with fresh lubricant, the friction is higher than you’d find on most new tonearms.  If you haven’t maintained the lube, it will be much higher.  I have a 77XB…a little better version of the arm…and use an M91ED with an LP Gear NSS N91 stylus, which I track at 1.75 gr.  If I wanted a better cart, I might go to a Denon DL103 and a SUT.  

I've had Shure, Pickering, and Stanton. Then I grabbed a Grado G1+ (many years ago) and installed it on my Yamaha P-750 turntable. I loved the Grado over all the others. At that point in time, the Grado retailed for $150. Since then I have heard other low cost Grado's, and was impressed.

I have tried a few carts a nag mp110, grado, v15 2 and 3, but right now a n44g with a jico nude stylus @ 1 gram,
the best were the v15 3 and the n44.
IMHO higher compliance works better w/o antiskate