Tonearm/table compatibility?

Getting ready to update my analog front end and welcome any input from more experienced audiophiles. Are there any charecteristcs of a specific arm that makes it a better candidate for a specfic table. Or is it just throwing the plate at the wall and see if it works? I've been living with a Sota Sapphire (vaccum)/ Linn Basik LVX/ Ortofon X3-MC, for a long time and would like to upgrade the arm/cartridge. But, alittle overwhelmed by the options avail. or where to start. I do know that I want to stay around $500(arm), and continue using a high output MC, not nec. the Ortofon. Is there a type of arm that would mate well with the Sota, without a lot of tweaking?
Thanks for any input, Matthew