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

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. 

@atmasphere they also play test pressings in the record plant during the manufacturing cycle. I’ve been on tours of the AS/AP/QRP facility in Salina. They have a small room next the one where all the presses are located. I’ve observed a plant engineer take a record off the press and go into that room to play it. I was told they do that periodically for quality assurance. They might not sit there with a stopwatch playing the whole thing (I don’t know), but they at least do spot checks.

I can’t speak to other plants but that’s what they do at QRP. I’ll bet it’s the same at RTI, Optimal, Pallas, etc.

@inna some fb to OP: discussing sound quality, using only price of cartridge, is pointless.. there are many $400 cart (80s price) outperforming $2k+ current offers.

the biggest task of building perfect analog system is to match cart/tonearm/phono-pre/pre/amp/speakers/room to give you what you want!