I've got an Old Stanton 500 cartridge and stylus on my tt and it sounds pretty damn good. However, i have no idea how old it is, and I'm wondering if I replace it with say....a 50.00$ audiotechnica, will it be an upgrade or a downgrade? or should i stick with what i've got?. Im open to all thoughts.

Depends on the $50 AT. PM Hakaplan and get his advice as he has extensive knowledge of older carts and how they compare.

No need, I'm here. :D
Is there a letter after the 500? That usually indicates the stylus shape. If it was an elliptical stylus and it's in good condition, then it's probably on par with the AT95E. If it's conical, then you could buy an elliptical stylus for it (the D71EE.)

I use a vintage stanton 500(gold body) on my TD-125 II.When the stylus got worn out I wanted to upgrade but couldn't afford to so I bought a D5100EE stylus for it for 50 bucks.Turned out to be a good choice cause I like it alot.IMHO this would be a better option than a $50.00 AT.

No need, I'm here. :D
Is there a letter after the 500? That usually indicates the stylus shape. If it was an elliptical stylus and it's in good condition, then it's probably on par with the AT95E. If it's conical, then you could buy an elliptical stylus for it (the D71EE.)

you know, there isn't any letter after it. It just says 500 (and it has the gold body)
thanks!!

What a weird coincidence...as I was packing away my defunct Technics TT (see "an old friend gives up the ghost" thread) I dug out the box the cartridge came in. Whaddya know, inside the old cartridge box was...a gold-body Stanton 500, must've dated from the late 80's or early 90's.

So now I need more turntables, I've got a Stanton 500, a Stanton 720, and a Pickering TLV-something cartridge all waiting for something to use them on.

BTW, I believe Parts Express carries a replacement stylus for the 500 (but my memory could be faulty). Their replacement stylus for my Shure 91 sounds great and it was only $9. (Not sure about spelling is it a Pfanstahl?)