I started out as a DJ and was running the Ortofon OM Night Club E. the sound is fairly good but by no means up to audiophile standards.
I upgraded to the Ortofon 2M blue. This was good step-up. It has good overall sound but lacks the detail of higher end cartridges.
I briefly tried the Audio Technica AT14-SA. This provided a similar level of performance to the 2M blue but I found it to be slightly brighter in sound. Which is not bad per-se just different, it simply shifts the focus more towards the highs. I've seen these sell for under $80 to $90 used here on A-gon.
Bang for the buck I would recommend the AT14 over the 2M blue.
The AT150 MLX is generally considered a good choice for SL-1200 as sugested by Johnny but I have never tried it.
I am curently running a Benz Glider, which I am loving, but that is a little out of your range. If you are patient you can pick them up used for around $400 or less. It truely out performs any other cartridge that I have tried.
Enjoy the SL-1200 it is a great TT.
I upgraded to the Ortofon 2M blue. This was good step-up. It has good overall sound but lacks the detail of higher end cartridges.
I briefly tried the Audio Technica AT14-SA. This provided a similar level of performance to the 2M blue but I found it to be slightly brighter in sound. Which is not bad per-se just different, it simply shifts the focus more towards the highs. I've seen these sell for under $80 to $90 used here on A-gon.
Bang for the buck I would recommend the AT14 over the 2M blue.
The AT150 MLX is generally considered a good choice for SL-1200 as sugested by Johnny but I have never tried it.
I am curently running a Benz Glider, which I am loving, but that is a little out of your range. If you are patient you can pick them up used for around $400 or less. It truely out performs any other cartridge that I have tried.
Enjoy the SL-1200 it is a great TT.