Cartridge recommendations?

The Nagaoka MP-110 is in your price range. Have compared it against higher priced Ortofon, Dynavector, Sumlko, Grado, etc. It's a killer....:-)

Compliance is over-rated. I have used high and low compliance carts on my turntable with excellent results with both. While I wouldn't recommend a total mismatch, give various carts a listen if you are able. You will be surprised at the results. Some here follow nothing but stats. A little knowledge with them can be dangerous...lol. :-) 

Also OP, the Nagaoka MP-110 easily meets all of your other requirements including balanced good sound.

CHAKSTER, I said I don't recommend a mismatch. I also don't have the cart I recommended but DID compare it to others. In other words I DID make the comparison to other carts therefore not invalidating my comparisons.

Try comparing the MP-110 against any carts from the likes of Ortofon, AT, Grado, and others in the same price range of the Nagaoka, and you will hear as well as see that the Nagaoka is superior. I have the MP-200 on a light weight tonearm and I am getting fantastic results.

You simply don't like Nagaoka. You have stated so in the past. I've tried to be diplomatic with you, but all you insist on doing is spew a un-ending line of stats and figures.

I'm not trying to steer the OP on to a "mistake" as you call it, and I agree not every combination will lead to great results. If you can audition a specific cart. from a dealer, or maybe a friend, such as I did, you will then have a greater scope for comparison. We're not talking thousands of dollars here.

All the best,
Mr_m

Are the older SMMC series Soundsmith's still made? Unless they are still made under the B&O name.