At what price point do I run into diminishing returns on an MC Cartridge?


I need to replace my MC cartridge.  I've had limited experience with them but I have certainly noticed a dramatic difference in performance.  My first 3 were priced at $500 Sumiko, $900 Ortofon and $5000 Linn Kandid.  The difference between my first cartridge and second - nearly double in price, was a very noticeable improvement.  Then I took the plunge and spent $5000 (after tax) for my Linn Kandid cartridge.  The difference and improvement in the quality of sound was startling.  The soundstage was like nothing I'd ever heard before.  Coupled with my newly acquired McIntosh MP 1100 phono pre-amp and I was hearing things in LP's that quite frankly I had never heard before.  Amazing!  So here's the question: At what price point do I run into seriously diminished returns on a cartridge investment?  I rather doubt I'm going to have "double" the quality of sound that I received with my Linn Kandid cartridge if e.g. I went up to a $10K cartridge. So, my question to you audiophiles with loads of experience, what is your opinion on what price point (neighborhood) would take me to a place where every dollar spent thereafter would yield only micro returns.  Said another way, what is the best price point to take anyone to the the same neighborhood as a person with "money to burn" on cartridges?  BTW, I realize there are probably some pearls that don't cost nearly as much - and that money doesn't always buy you love.  If you KNOW of those do tell.         
normantaylor
The price has nothing to do with the quality, the more important is the knowledge about cartridges, people behind the design of certain MC and their philosophy. Tonearm/cartridge match, your phono stage capabilities. Don't forget that heyday of analog technologies is definitely not today! Any top quality cartridge designed in the 80's will cost less and will give you more than many overpriced new units. Even $1000-2000 is very expensive for a cartridge, but at this price it's not a problem to buy something outstanding. Phono cartridges at $5k - $10k are made for reach people, once you will damage such cartridge you will understand why they must be avoided. I'm pretty sure that buying such cartridges is pointless until you will investigate why so many knowledgeable audiophiles prefer some killer vintage MC from well known designers at lower prices on used market. It can be 5 different cartridges for the price of 1. I ended up with more than 20 different cartridges instead of a few very expensive new ultra high-end units i owned in the past. The experience with classic high-end is much more important, some of my favorite cartridges are not the most expensive, but i love the sound i can hear with them. 
forget these people giving specific numbers or being a buzzkill. The reality is it depends on the complete system. For instance, it’s possible to go from 1k to 5k and hear a huge difference and also possible to hear no difference. It depend on the TT, arm, phono stage, preamp, amp, speakers, cables, etc. it all needs to work together.  I certainly heard a huge difference from 5k to 10k but I don’t know that everyone’s system is as revealing. (Which is totally ok. Get a cart that matches the rest of the system)
There is no price point. Not for cartridges, not for anything. You can spend a million and have crap, or a thousand and have amazing. 

From where you are now the next biggest incremental improvement will probably be going from moving to fixed coil. Soundsmith Hyperion should do it.
Based upon what the AudioTechnica OC-9 MKIII does for $500. And what the AudioTechnica ART-9 does for $1000. I would love to hear what the AudioTechnica ART-1000 does for $5000.

Frank
Your Kandid is a very good example of a cartridge that is at the forefront of cartridge technology. The Kandid is sourced from Lyra and employs their new angle technology. As such, it is more advanced than just about any cartridge on the market that does NOT utilize this tech, IMHO. The fact that you were able to hear the difference is telling and does not surprise me. Many far more expensive cartridges are on the market with motors that are essentially designed forty or more years ago! Same innards as far cheaper models, but in most cases with simply different body materials. The fact that the motor is ancient in design and that the designer is relying on a body change is where the problem begins, IME. While it is true that body designs do have some ability to change the sound, IME utilizing the same old motor and charging a ton more $$ for it is not that impressive. Add to that fact some of these folks are using a cheap old aluminum cantilever as well...and I believe that one really only needs to use one’s ears and have an open mind to determine where the values truly lie. IMHO.