Help me decide on my next cartridge (

One member here mentioned to buy a NOS cart, i'm sceptical of that due to the suspension systems degradation over time. NOS carts should be bought with the understanding they may need a rebuild. heck any used cart for that mater.

@glennewdick How many NOS cartridge with bad suspension do you have (MM or MC), would you like to recall the brands ?

I have ZERO vintage cartridges with this problem, each NOS cartridge package i have opened myself was superb. I tried many. This problem does not exist for me, except for one brand i would never buy again -Technics cartridges. 

I would never rebuild any cartridge, this is a waste of money (imo), i tried and wasn't happy about result comparing them to the originals. 

A good cartridge must be fully original and in perfect condition. 

SOTA Comet V?

This question can go in a couple  directions.

Your equipment appears solid. A phonostage isn't listed, so an onboard?

If you're  eventually going to get "serious" about playing records, a proper phonostage will allow you to hear the potential of your Pro-ject/cart.

That $900 would go further considering a used unit, and have something leftover for a nicer cart. Just upgrading the phonostage with the stock cart, it will likely sound more convincing than it does now.

Or the Moonbeam 4, But the Comet is a significant improvement if you can stretch for it. Down the line you can even trade it in for a higher model if you like. Great product, great company.

Agree that SOTA tables are a solid choice, and will get your out of disposable-turntable hell. You really want a Sapphire or Nova, though ;)