Cartridge to turntable price ratio

Why do I say the question is tedious or even meaningless?  Because if you admit the possibility for a pre-owned turntable (and by the way, the tonearm is at least as important), then you cannot pinpoint what "should be" the cost for a given cartridge.  Then, at least in my opinion, the best sounding cartridges are not in order of cost.  Many here seem to believe that there is a 1 to 1 ratio between SQ and what you pay; I emphatically do not. So, three of my favorite cartridges are vintage, and if you can find a sample, the cost would be well under $2000 for each.  Yet, I would readily mount any of those cartridges on any of the most expensive turntable/tonearm combinations, while also stipulating that no turntable/tonearm really needs to cost more than $25K (pre-owned) or maybe $40K if you insist on brand new. Beyond that, and you are paying for bling and pretence. You should not feel impeded or governed by cost ratios, at all. So why talk about it?

I like to go a little crazy and spend up to the cost of the table for the cart. I have a Clearaudio Maestro v2 on my hot-rodded Rega P3 and it's a wonderful combination. On my Michell Gyro SE I have a Koetsu Black and it's also fantastic. When the Koetsu dies I want an Audio Technica MC, in the $1000+ range with boron cantilever and line contact stylus. 

If one spends time searching out images of Cart's stripped back to their inner workings. It does not take long to see LOMC Cart's as an example share very similar designs as a Structure prior to assembly. 

A magnet or Coil Wire can differ as well as a Body Material if used. 

Styli and Armature are with differences, but a rebuild service can make these available to the customers preference.

I have my own take on where certain Cart's show their differences and are to be found in a Cartv that is substantially more in cost than another. Where it gets tricky is identifying how a $2000 model can have a Cart' produced by the same producer for 3-4 x this cost, without to much deviation from the materials selected to be used.

Again the Mutec Hayabusa and MSL Platinum come to mind.