What are the most balanced relatively neutral cartridges at each price level ?

You don't compare vinyl to digital, you compare it to master tape dubs. Deck's playback head is your reference "cartridge". Best decks', of course.

Generally speaking, cartridges are very coloured, aren't they ? Added colourations, negative colourations. In this sense they are often the weakest link, no matter how pleasing the sound might be. Koetsu appears to be a fine example of it.

Lyra haters?

Kleos SL under $5k

micro detail / transients machine

Not my reference point, never was even back in the day when I had tape decks and recorded live bands.  For me references are musical instruments, performances, people I am familiar with.  I know what a Yamaha C7 sounds like and if in doubt I can listen to the one that is in my listening room.  I know what K. Zildjian cymbals sound like, my Ludwig drum set has two rides, one crash and a pair of hi-hats sitting right beside me.  I go to live performances regularly, have perfect pitch. Know violins from violas and can tell when someone is out of tune.  Frankly I don't see anything wrong with using digital references.  Master dubs on the other hand I have a problem with.  Where did they come from?  What mics were used?  How many mics?  What kind of a mixing console?  Who was the engineer?  It is hard to know some times.  Might be good, might not.

I have an Ortofon Winfield and agree it doesn't seem colored in any way in my system......(all Ayre with Vandersteens)

I got it. It's Ortofon. So, yes, there is an answer to this question. Demagogues and dilettantes don't have answers and even don't understand questions, pros do. Thank you.