I like Audio Technica Cartridges, the sound, and several have very good channel separation and tight channel balance: combined they give excellent imaging.
I like the AT540ml for beginners, in your case, within your budget, I would move up their line to the VM750SH with Shibata Stylus
30 db channel separation, 1.0 db channel balance
soundsmith stylus shapes article
........................................
cartridge alignment?
do you or a friend have the few inexpensive tools and experience to mount and align a cartridge? any advanced stylus shape that will definitely give better performance requires careful setup.