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

"some do it right” - who does not? list would be welcome! :-) 

Not to sound like a smart ass, but has anyone actually answered the OP question with experience or just speculation? 98% of the answers are BS. Some good BS but am I wrong 🤔 

I think, some did answer with experience. Besides, the interpretation of "dramatic difference" can vary. But there is some BS, no doubt.

Inna correct, 1 or 2 but the rest BS 😜.  I don't have the funds for cartridges of that level however,  when I went from a Dynavector 20x2L to a Hana Umami Blue it was a very noticeable difference.  I can understand at that price point but does the laws of diminishing returns kick in at 5K? 

I was talking about vinyl records quality-control / sound-check, not cutting press-form process equipment.

@westcoastaudiophile So was I.

In the pressing plant they don't play LPs back. Instead, they send something called a 'test pressing' back to the producer; he has to sign off on it before the plant does the pressing run. He will be listening for weird ticks, distortion caused by over-cut, that sort of thing. Quite often the mastering engineer might take on this function although it depends on the production.

If the mastering engineer did their job properly as I outlined earlier, then the only variable will be if the plant introduced tick somewhere. Usually they don't. An addition test press usually goes to the artist who listens on whatever they have. Right there might be your concern but again the main thing is to make sure the LP is playable.