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?
