I own the Dyna 20x, both HO and LO versions, and a few other cartridges. Over the years I keep returning to it. I find it well balanced -- meaty, dynamic and slightly warm, and with sufficient detail, nuance and space for me. I even prefer it to the Dyna 17d2 mk2 and the CA Maestro. The former borrowed from a friend, the latter I owned. All are VG, and different tastes / synergies could easily prefer differently.
There is a heavy heavy weight of opinion, from many different quarters, that favors the 20x on VPI arms -- safe to assume it's a good match.
Why fret so much? Just get the tried and true. If your main point of hesitancy is resell loss should it not work for you, just buy used. 20x can be had in VVG / low hrs used condition in the $400 range. That's how I got both my 20x's....and all my carts for that matter. That's well below your budget, and no gear decision is permanent, or locks you into anything. If it doesn't work, just sell it. Get something else used. Keep doing it till you find something that rocks your socks. No biggie.
Synergy and satisfaction can never be guaranteed up front. For me, buying smart in the used market significantly reduces handwringing and indecision, and makes pulling the trigger much easier. Once financial loss is eliminated, or significantly reduced, who cares if you make a mistake? Besides, the gear rolling game is fun and educational.
Anyways, that's my approach. Good luck in whatever you do.
