Looking for recs for my first foray into MC cartridges...

The Denon 301 is a high compliance cartridge not suitable for the Schick arm. The Denon 103 or 103r are suitable cartridges, though I prefer the plain 103 for its better balance IMHO.

i would suggest the new Ortofon SPU #1S. It's a little over budget but the SPUs are at the design center of your tonearm.

Happy listening.

Jared, If i were you i’d rather try Allnic Puritas, Miyajima Shilabi or Kansui on Thomas Schick "12 tonearm. I’ve owned the arm for 3 years and sold it towards my investments to Reed 3P "12 Cocobolo. The Shick is nice with low compliance cartridges, but Denon 103 and SPU are not the ultimate in this class (but best match for this tonearm, indeed). Also i think this is not the best arm for refined mid compliance modern MC cartridges with its stock wirings and $5 neutrik rca connectors. Schick is great with oldschool low compliance cartridges (don’t forget the EMT carts). I would go for used Miyajima instead of new SPU or cheaper new Denon. My low compliance (8cu @ 10Hz) vintage Argent MC500HS cartridge was great on Schick, but even better on Reed 3p now.

Chakster, I am sure the Allnic Puritas ($4,950), Miyajima Shilabi ($2,800) or Kansui  ($3,600) are all great cartridges, but the OP said his budget was $500.

Any other thoughts?

Ortofon Quintet Red or Blue.  Very nice and track at 2.3 grams nominal.

@viridian Thanks for the clarification there; my occasional dyslexia shows itself when discussing Denon cartridge models! 

@rotarius I didn't expect those recommendations for this thread. Is there a reason why those are a particularly good match w/the Schick arm? Cheers,
Spencer