Opinions sought: % contribution to sound by component — specifically cartridges

As others have indicated, this is highly system dependent.  For my system, if I only count my vinyl source my turntable/arm/cartridge counts 25%, my step-up/preamp 15%, my monoblock amps 15%, my speakers 25%, and my cables/power cords/power conditioner 20%.  I guess that the cartridge counts for 10% or maybe slightly less.  Many people with good systems don't realize how important it is to use good cables.  Changing cables often makes a bigger difference than changing a component.

@pindac I respect your further thoughts. Your post is provocative and makes me reflect on many things.

I intended my original post as a more broad question as to the effect of stepping down in levels in a cartridge in an otherwise balanced system.

I included my specific details about the Lyra cartridge, and I realize conversation has veered off so that we're mostly discussing re-tipping, rebuilding and the like. That's a great topic and is one other than what I intended. 

I appreciate everyone's ideas about how I may be able to get music flowing again in my system. I'm taking it all in!

For the moment, I'm maintaining a bit of hope that Lyra may be able to restore the cartridge. If that proves not to be the case, I'll have to come up with an alternate plan.

my guess is that the cartridge in the context of the entire system that you describe is maybe 10 to 15% in terms of sound contribution. of course, if you Buy a new cartridge not quite at the level of what you currently own it’s not like you will go down to zero. I suspect you can get a very nice cartridge without spending too much money. You might lose a little, but I would bet it won’t be a night and day difference, probably something more subtle
good luck

@kerrybh Thanks for taking the time to reply.

That's an excellent point. Tonal preferences aside, if "the best" cartridge represents 5, 10 or 15% of the total sound of a system, dropping a step or two down in the family would not drop that down to zero. 

I suppose another way I could have phrased my initial question was "what % of performance is the model 1 or 2 down from the top?"

That doesn't quite get to the matter either. 

I realize much of what we do is chasing the marginal gain, and sometimes the difference between "something is verrrrry slightly off" and "everything is perfect" can sound small when expressed in percentage terms (eg 99% vs 100%) but perceptually is more noticeable. 

I also wonder if the rest of the system is highly revealing, does any weakness of a slightly lower performing cartridge get more brutally revealed. Or, is it that the cartridge 2 rungs down the ladder will sound good on an excellent system and good on a lesser system, but the lesser system would not be capable of presenting the top cartridge to it's fullest potential?

These are questions with no correct answers. My post is an attempt to foster discussion. I realize this is an imperfect process.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts.

Short answer IMHO:  speakers / room (I know ,not on your list but vital)/cartridge, toss up between arm and phono stage/ the rest.

At least that’s what I hear.