What Cartridge please?

Bearing in mind your TT / tonearm cost, it doesn't make much sense to me to spend mega- bucks on the cartridge. Two of the best cart's I have owned in the moderate to medium-price range are the Shelter 501 Mk3 (mc), and the ClearAudio Maestro v2 Ebony (Mm). Both are first-rate cart's. If you want to step up a notch, consider the Lyra Delos.

Also available at $500-ish is the Audio Technica AT33PTG/II. It's not officially distributed in the US, but is easy to find on Amazon and eBay from Japanese vendors. It's also available on Japan-based audiocubes2.com.

It's like the AT33EV except that it has the boron cantilever and MicroLinear stylus, which is a quicker tracker and lasts longer betfore needing a retip--or so I've been told by my local long-running analog specialty store.

After some time (hours and hours) on the ol' interweb, I've seen the Shelter 501 and Lyra Delos come up several times. Thinking I may have to put them on my short list. But still open to suggestions.

Consider a Denon DL-S1, LOMC.  There are reviews here and on Audio Asylum.  I do not find any need to upgrade and the price was very reasonable.

Transfiguration Phoenix wonderful cartridge.