New Cartridge or New Stylus

None of the ones mentioned so far are good choices IMO

Aside from the tonal characteristics people try to write about

I advise paying attention to 

1. IMAGING. Both WIDE channel separation (high 20’s, even low 30’s), and TIGHT channel balance (1.0 db, even 0.5db) are needed to properly present the Phantom Imaging the engineers put in the grooves.

2. TRACKING FORCE. the published imaging specs were achieved at heavier or lighter tracking force? Lighter is preferred due to:

a. stylus life, lighter will last longer

b. lp groove wear. successfully tracking lighter will be less wear.

c. anti-skate. amount of force required is related to tracking force

3. STYLUS PROFILE, see link

4. CANTILEVER MATERIAL, see link

https://www.leson.org/choose-phono-cartridge/

compare other finds to this which tracks at 2.0g

ATVM540ML, $280.

agreed.  do you have an recommendations?  the turntable is a Pro-ject 1.2

I tried an Audio Technica SS445E/U with both the orignal nude stylus and an LP Gear Shibata style stylus - it was too bright and i think was too much mass with the p-mount adaptor.

want tone, texture and imaging.  

I use and have always liked the prior 440 model in my office, this is current stock

ATVM540ML, $280

Audio-Technica AT-VM745xML, $329, Boron Cantilever

I have gotten lucky buying one used 150 and 3 used AT160ML that have original beryllium cantilevers, microline stylus, track at 1.25g, (and there are 3 new VMNx stylus with boron cantilevers for options in the future)

I don’t know this seller, but it comes with a Magnesium Headshell that has concealed fastening from below, azimuth adjustment, overhand adjustment, and this one comes with the case.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/406308722518?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=619db6b4-b67e-11f0-a30f-613032366639

same seller, check other items, he has an AT160ML body $110. usd

https://www.ebay.com/itm/406295056468?itmmeta=01K8XMWNPTTFAQNQ9169YA0SF2&hash=item5e99129054:g:2cQAAeSwS3Jo8NZT

then buy a current production stylus, fresh suspension, aluminum or boron cantilever, perfect diamond

Since all AT-VMx and VM Series cartridges share the same body design and have a removable stylus, you can use almost any AT-VMNx or VMN replacement stylus* with any VMx or VM cartridge for easy experimentation with sound characteristics.

AT-VMN10xCB (conical/bonded/aluminum cantilever)
AT-VMN20xEB (elliptical/bonded/aluminum cantilever)
AT-VMN30xEN (elliptical/nude/aluminum cantilever)
AT-VMN40xML (microlinear/nude/aluminum cantilever)
AT-VMN45xML (microlinear/nude/boron cantilever)
AT-VMN50xSH (Shibata/nude/boron cantilever)
AT-VMN60xSL (special line contact/nude/boron cantilever)

Here’s a used AT150e for $179. from a seller I recommend

I have an AT150e with an AT160ML Microline on Tapered Beryllium Stylus on it.

My friends and I cannot hear any difference between it and my AT160ML body with the same AT160ML stylus on it.

I bought both from this seller whom I recommend

https://www.ebay.com/itm/267300981202?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=acf16a76-b682-11f0-a3dd-346264666334

so, for -100 (and less tarriffs and less tax) you start with Elliptical, and can change to a different stylus profile later, either take a chance on a used beryllium ML or go for a new VMNx stylus on Boron.

btw, your fixed arm, you need to both mount/align/calibrate each time, so a body that accepts good better best stylus makes sense.

how are your cartridge mounting skills?

I think I would go for the used AT160ML with headshell and case, it is a terrific headshell, but only good for fastening from below, i.e. I could not mount my friend’s Benz Micro Ruby Wood, it’s threaded holes do not go all the way thru.

With careful screw choice, it looks like AT's new threaded bodies can be mounted from above or below