Everyone has their preferences. As mulveling points out aluminum cantilevers can sound very good. Personally, I tend to prefer them over other exotics such as boron or beryllium. This is a personal taste thing, there is no right or wrong, just a matter of taste. In your price range in addition to Audio Technica, excellent BTW, consider Ortofon, perhaps a 2M Bronze. This assumes you determine that you do need a new cartridge after following Elliott's suggestions.
Cartridge - sweet spot on the cost/sound curve?
I think my Sumiko Blue point 2 is going. Right channel is lower sound level than right using my turntable, totally even using digital. Table is Project RPM 5 carbon that I bought as a store demo with the blue point 2 so no telling how many hrs on it.
The rest of the system is a PS audio GCPH phono pre, deHaviland Ultraverve 3, McCormack DNA 1, Martin Logan SL3s with new panels.
I loved the warmth and focus of the blue point but am a bit back by how much they cost $500. Don’t laugh I know carts can cost thousands but I got a kid in college!
Any recommendations for something at or under that price point that is better?