turntables and stylus

recommendations, reviews?\

i got a cheap cheap turntable that i wont even mention, looking to upgrade. 500$ max me thinks.

technic 1210 mk5

For DJ purposes or exclusively listening purposes ?

If it's just for listening then you probably only need a basic direct-drive turntable - vestax and numark make decent ones starting around $200 from what I remember. A decent cartridge might run you another 50 bucks or so, see what the manufacturer and/or dealer recommend (go for a "fidelity" model instead of a durability/scratching model).