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
I would say the $2k range. I would also say cartridges in the $2k range are capable of far greater performance than imaginable with the right gear. Spend your $ on non-wear items. 
Get a Miyajima mc for around $3K and stop worrying! Spending more is just burning cash! 
Or something else at this price point or below that! In any case, your choice will strongly depend on what tonearm you use. I believe the Miyajima likes one with a high mass. For around half the price of the Miyajima you can get a Phasemation PP-300, which is a serious overachiever at its price. But again, a fairly high mass tonearm is required.

If you dare to go 'previously used', you can get away with even less. I have several cartridges that cost me less than $1000 that can easily compete with current top level systems. Don't let anyone tell you those MC's at $10k are on a quality level previously unattainable. It just ain't so. Halcro has devoted a whole thread on this, called 'Hear my cartridges'. Very educational!


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)