Yes, table itself is the most important element, then arm, then cartridge. And the interaction between them all, of course.
I have $4k table/arm and $500 MM cartridge - sounds very good.
Why would you want to convert analog into digital ? In a sense, you would be doing digital mastering. I have a few records like that - none sounds like analog.
Michael Fremer has his own agenda, an excellent one, to keep vinyl alive no matter what. He is also a businessman.
So, to answer your question - yes and no. You will hear differences between cartridges but it won't matter - you will spoil the recordings in any case.