My two primary tables cost $3000 and $1900 each (quality used vintage tables). One has a Umami Red ($4000) the other has a Sound Smith Paua ($4000) and a Sound Smith MIMC* mono ($2300).They replaced a Hana ML and a Dynavector 10x5. Both were significant upgrades, not just in price, but performance as well, so I have no problem with a cartridge that cost double the price of the turntable. Personally, I think the point of diminishing returns effects the turntable before it does the cartridge.
Cartridge to turntable price ratio
How much do you spend on a cartridge before you have more cartridge than turntable. For example if you spend $2500 on a turntable and tonearm how much maximum would you spend on a cartridge? $1000? 1500?