New Phono Cart with Character Needed

For around $300 or a little more get the Denon DL-103 and get a wood body installed.  We use the Gold Bug cartridge (also I think made by Denon), and expensive but once you place the wood body on the Denon, it will compete.  No need to spend any more.  PLUS the money you save can be used to upgrade better parts in your ph0ono stage.

Happy Listening.

The Grado Prestige Gold, in my experience, is a there there cartridge that may provide what you seek. The cash outlay is negligible and the company has been around for quite some time. Grado may not be as fashionable as a Soundsmith or a Hana yet may provide your listening senses with everything needed.

Straight up good old ortofon black mm cartridge. Very dynamic and engaging. 

Hana SH high output MC. Hanas have the dynamic punch that MM carts just can't quite deliver, without the exorbitant cost of most MCs. Grado Sonata is another good choice, but they are prone to hum in some rigs. Soundsmith Carmen, like Grado, is a moving iron design, and both offer different takes on what you're looking for. Finally, the Dynavector 10X and Sumiko Songbird are worth considering, although the naked stylus of the Songbird makes many folks nervous, myself included. All these are high output, so no additional expense in Step Up devices and extra cables are required.

What kind of "wows"?  The Denon DL-103 is a very musical warm enjoyable cartridge but it isn't going to blow you away with its 3D soundstage.  I never used it with my P6 and it might not be a good match for the P3 tonearm but there is a reason why people have loved it for decades.  The Ortofon 2M Black is very dynamic and punchy with more of what I consider a "wow" factor but arguably less musical.  The AT-ART9XI is a better, more nuanced, more 3D sound vs the 2M Black and it is musical while having great top and bottom end extension.  It is above your price point but you should be able to get a lightly used one for <$1000.  That would be my first choice.  And if you wait around you might be able to pick up a lightly used Ortofon Cadenza Bronze for just over $1000 that would be the best of all worlds, warm, resolving, dynamic, huge soundstage and generally full of goodness.  I also own the Ania and I like all those cartridges better than it.