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

mulveling, judging by your description Ortofon doesn't sound appealing. Do you like Lyra cartridges ?

I actually did enjoy the Windfeld Ti and A90 - they're not completely dry & analytical, nor without their own unique charms. The Windfeld Ti is quite a punchy and dynamic cartridge, to go along with its high level of detail - it has some decent body to its mids - and its balance is not too tipped in favor of HF's. Also have to respect that Ortofon has really pushed the envelope of experimenting with technologies and designs. 

But in the end it was still sort of hit-or-miss; some days I loved it and others I'd just lose patience and return to the warm embrace of Japanese MC's. 

No Lyra's yet. I'm curious, but the rep of tipped-up HF has kept me away so far. 

I bet, at this level I would choose Japanese MC as well. I don't like too much energy in high frequences. Japanese understand sound, no doubt about it.

@rvpiano  @mulveling Regular albums absolutely do benefit from higher end cartridges. That's a big part of the reason I have gone down that path of upgrades. If I just cared about boutique audiophile reissues I would have been done upgrading long before many of the changes/upgrades I have made in recent years. My primary motivation for system improvements is to bring more out of all the regular records I have collected over the last 50+ years. I think one of the biggest benefits I get out of using my Lyra Atlas Lambda SL is how well my old classical records (from 60s, 70s, etc) play with it. The audiophile records already sounded great with lesser cartridges. The regular records benefited more, IMO.

@mulveling 

No Lyra's yet. I'm curious, but the rep of tipped-up HF has kept me away so far

That's not at all how I personally describe my Lyras. The HF is very smooth and silky. It sounds beautiful with every kind of music I have played with it. It's a somewhat similar sound of the better Dynavectors, IMO (I have a XV-1s). 

I also have an older Clearaudio Concerto V2. That's a cartridge I feel has tipped up HF, with a midrange that's too anemic and analytical for my taste. I especially don't care for it playing classical music.

dwette, what table/arm do you use with Lyra ?