Is there usually a dramatic difference between $5k and $10k cartridges ?

@inna

dwette, I see. Do you also have Boulder preamp and power amp ?

No, but that may come to pass, based on my experience with how very good the Boulder 1108 phono-stage is.

I have a Naim Audio NAC 252/Supercap DR preamp + Naim NAP 300 DR power amp, with Dynaudio Confidence C2 Platinum speakers and a pair of REL S/510 subs. I was using a Naim Superline + Supercap DR phono-stage, but after adding a 2nd tonearm I needed something with dual phono inputs, but I wanted something that is not a downgrade from the Naim phono-stage. The Boulder ticked all the boxes.

If I ever decide to move on from my Naim 252/300 I have (which is quite excellent) I would first audition a Boulder 1110/1161 series for pre/amp, based on how good the phono-stage is.

My digital front end is a Naim NDX2/XPS-DR. I won’t make any changes there, for the simple reason I just don’t play digital that much in my main system as I do analog.

@ghdprentice

In general, ones entire collection sounds better with better sounding cartridges.

I couldn’t agree more. To my mind – forget the audiophile reissues – that’s the best reason to climb the ladder on great cartridges.

dwette, excellent plan. Boulder is top level of SS amplification.

This is an "Oh Good Lord" type question.

I can't imagine spending close to that much on a cartridge for vinyl. But this is a hobby and some just like what they like and believe what they want to believe.

I would hope there was a meaningful difference in quality for twice the money, and at that level, particularly. But I am cynical.

"Better equipment makes everything sound better, regardless of the quality of the recordings"

-only if you know what “better” is! LOL