Gdoodle, great find. I used a Threshold FET-10 for several years. The only reason I sold it was the need for external gain and load switching -- those 10 screws securing the top plate were a pain if you wanted to change often.
At one point a buddy with electronics background built a fully regulated power supply for me to replace the stock Technics unit. That improved performance with quieter background and deeper, more solid bass. At an informal shoot-out of phono units among friends my upgraded FET-10 was preferred over a Manley Steelhead by 3 out of 5 of the others present.
Two other friends also had the FET-10 years ago but both of their units developed noise. Mine remains quiet to this day, a friend now owns it, so if that is a problem it could be fixed.
One cartridge I used with the FET-10 was a Grado Reference (more than your budget) and it seemed to be a very good match, for whatever that might be worth.
At one point a buddy with electronics background built a fully regulated power supply for me to replace the stock Technics unit. That improved performance with quieter background and deeper, more solid bass. At an informal shoot-out of phono units among friends my upgraded FET-10 was preferred over a Manley Steelhead by 3 out of 5 of the others present.
Two other friends also had the FET-10 years ago but both of their units developed noise. Mine remains quiet to this day, a friend now owns it, so if that is a problem it could be fixed.
One cartridge I used with the FET-10 was a Grado Reference (more than your budget) and it seemed to be a very good match, for whatever that might be worth.