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

Usually yes besides the cost but like with other equipment twice the price doesn’t mean it sounds twice as good or is a better value.  

Show me some measurements (THD, channel separation, trackability) where the $10K cartridge outperforms the $5K. Otherwise subjective opinions are like looking out a window and discussing the weather.

kudos to Raul! +1 - analog system performance relies on all pieces, thus there could be bigger setup problems than cartridge. 

Inna, buying expensive cartridge, with hope it will open analog experience horizon, is the same as buying Ferrari to use it as commuter for everyday shopping, work, etc.. Ferrari driving experience will be framed by road condition, traffic, fear of getting scratches etc. If you like to make you feel good and you have money to spend - go ahead and buy $10k+ cart! You will find nice looking magazines with pictures and reviews, you also will finance with your purchase! Buying Rolex will not deliver more accurate time info comparing to simpler watch! Analog sound magic start with musician’s creation, then it is amplified with recording studio work, and finally is pressed into vinyl. Vinyl press is never checked with ultra-expensive TTs+carts, most 80..90s vinyls were tested using Audio-Technica/Ortofon professional grade MMs. 

This is a wonderful discussion.  I love all the ideas and perspectives.  Like many of you, I have a lot of cartridges.  $50, $500, $3000, $5000, and $10,000 ones. My favorite ones are an Ortofon 2M SE Mono (the mono version of the Black), and a SoundSmith Hyperion MkII.  Why do I like the SE mono better than other mono mc ones costing 5-10x more?  I dunno.  Why do I like the Hyperion better than my Winfeld (previous favorite) or the Atlas.  I dunno.  These are not rational preferences.  But I know what I like.  And although I agree with Raul that our standard should be live music, it is not easy to do an A-B against live music is it?  So, what I use as a standard is DSD, which is measurably more accurate than any analog system.  I know this to be true.  Why do I like to listen to my records and my less perfect analog cartridges, arms, turntables, phonostages and so on better?  I dunno.  But I know what I like.