I am a new player, having picked up the ukulele in December. Before I bought my first uke, I tried playing my daughter’s Kala Learn-to-Play soprano. Did not go to well. I have large hands and any chord that wasn’t the C chord sounded horrible. I bought a relatively inexpensive concert-size uke and it was easier to play some of the other chords (though I still sounded bad). When I would play the Kala soprano after playing the concert, some of what used to be extremely difficult became a bit easier.
I have since purchased a Koaloha Opio Acacia Soprano and I love it. I am still learning the basics, but when I play things right, the tone and sound are outstanding. It is also very light. The math may not bear this out from the specs, but it just feels like it it has much more room on the fretboard than the starter Kala. I can’t say whether or not the Koaloha is a “classic” look, and it certainly does not have the bling of the Ohana Martin replicas, but it is a nice “player.” There is also a longneck version and one with a spruce top, all within your budget of about $500. My only issue with it has been keeping the friction tuners in tune, but the strings are also new so I expected I would have to retune more frequently. In another few months, if it still an issue, then I will know that friction tuners may look better on a soprano, but sure are a pain.
I got mine at HMS and it was wonderfully set up. Mim also sells the Opio, and everyone knows (even newbies like me who read everything uke related now) that she does a great set-up as well.