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

@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 ?

+1 @atmasphere 

@rvpiano +1 "What type of LP would be up to the task of producing such high quality sound?"

Vinyl records produced/tested with “professional” grade carts, with focus on sound accuracy.