Entry Level MC Recommendations?

None of the above.
Send your Virtuoso back to Soundsmith and get the alum cantilever/elliptical stylus for $150. With your arm it will outperform anything you're contemplating. I don't think the Denon 103 series is a good match. I tried an MC-20 - it's not bad although a little zippy up top and not a great tracker. If you want another cart while yours is getting fixed, consider the DL-110 or an AT-F3/III. They are $139 and $175 respectively.

Save yourself some grief. You don't know what you have till it's gone.
Regards,

There is another option, assuming the body/generator isn't damaged. IMO it's not as good as sending it to Soundsmith, but you could restore it to orig performance, yourself.

Go to LpGear and look for replacement stylus under LpGear brand. There you will find replacement styli for the AT-95. The ATN95SE (.3 x .7 elliptical) is $45. They also have ones w/vivid line - $89, and shibata - $129. These are all bonded diamonds on a straight alum cantilever. Soundsmith offers a nude .3 x .7 on a tapered cantilever.

If the plastic piece is still on the bottom of your cart, pry it out. This is the "plug", which is the plastic that holds the cantilever and magnets. If you want it to look like the orig, cut away the excess plastic wings on the replacement. A wire cutter works good for this. Just insert it in the receptacle. You just have to be careful trimming the wings.

I've tried the shibata and I'm not sure if it's worth the difference compared to a Soundsmith re-tip, but the 3 x 7 replacement option is a way for you to repair it inexpensively if you want to try something else. IMO you're not going to find anything for $300 that competes. BTW, the AT-95 is a different motor in the same body style and is great for the money, but not a Virtuoso. For the ultimate, send it to Axel in Germany, for a boron/Gyger replacement, but that is prob outside your budget.
Regards,