I am a long long user of the LP as the Source Material and even though having a CD Source as well, do consider the Vinyl Replay set up as the main source.
Out of all the regular concerns for keeping the Vinyl Source optimised in performance, the Cartridge is the largest segment to be seen on the imaginary Pie Chart.
For the OP it is time to come down to earth and have a reality check.
Cartridges are Sacrificial as a Audio Component, with the addition of being very very very Fragile and are prone to easy destruction!!
The Cart' from the moment it is put into Service is incrementally losing its optimisation as a design, this is even worse when design failings, such as a materials selection for the overall assembly, substantially decreases the time the for the full loss of optimal condition.
From the day the Cart' is put into Service, the amount of ambient environment 'Micro Crud' that enters into the Inner Workings oof the Cart' and collects local to the Cart's Body Penetration for the Cantilever is hard to fathom when witnessed as being present. Metal particulate is known to collect on windings and compromise coils, with the risk of Coils shorting. There are those very aware of this and have put measures in place to improve the Cart's environment. The intention to protect the Cart', by creating an ambient environment that is improved and Cart' friendly. Air Filtration and Substantial Magnets are to be discovered in use by some who take management of the ambient environment serious for their Vinyl Source.
Purchasing a Very Very expensive Cart', that is as fragile as the cheapest of Cart's takes Balls. It is quite easy for others to Jump In and Spend another's Hard Earned monies with no experiences of the proposal and only Brand Promotion as the consideration. I look through this type of content and go beyond to discover where experiences are the basis for the content being shared.
The budget being discussed suggests a projected $4 per Album replay. The reality is, this can quite easily be a one off $4K per Album Replay, working down the scale to the most desirable outcome for a cost per replay.
For the OP, the first thing to do if purchasing in the US when Spending the Amount of Money being considered, is to make the inquiry about how long is the Warranty Period on the Purchase. Finding the Vendor that has the most attractive extension of time is worth the investigation.
____________________________________________________________-
The following Quote is from a Source that is time served and very very experienced. It seems a Cart' Model or All Models are prone to a early loss maintaining a useful level of optimisation.
The author alerting others to quality concerns is a subject that should not be overlooked by anybody producing a Shortlist for Cart's in the Multi Thousands Price Range.
The most honest and most problematic of modern cartridges.
"I have always liked and continue to like the sound of ZYX, but since an indefinite time there has been a change in the damper material, which led to a terrible effect. The damper no longer holds its shape under the powerful pressure of the magnetic field, which turns the coils inside out.
Damper deformation leads to a terrible channel imbalance, which reaches 3 - 6 dB.
I repeat that the cartridge has a very good sound while it is young.
I would require that the product's production date and expiration date be marked on the packaging, just like in the grocery department of a store.
Does the ZYX company know about this? I think they know, at least the dealers who get rid of expired products at reduced prices are well aware of this."
______________________________________________________________
There is also the option to start a dialogue with the Cart' Producer, in the case of Cartridges being discussed, the Contact is quite likely to be based in the Far East. Not all Producers are contactable, but there are dialogues to be had with a selection of producers.
When spending $4K'ish questions should be asked? Yes/No?
How about, if successful in contacting a Producer, the inquiry is made to learn if they are willing to deal directly with yourself?
How about learning what their Warranty Terms are and the Warranty Period is, if you were to Purchase?
How about explaining to a Producer the Cart' inquired about, would become a much more secure closed won sale for them, if they were to select a Cart' with a Stylus Zenith Alignment that is 90 degrees, as this is the Geometry that is mostly reported to not be consistently accurate on the Cantilever Assembly across a broad range of Cart's.
Additionally, Consider one other benefit of going direct, a Very Very Fragile Cart' is posted once only, creating the minimum risk of it incurring a loss of optimisation through being subjected to a Postal Service Treatment. The Alternative being increased risk to the Cart' through an increased amount of periods of being in transit!!
The same benefits of direct postage remains, if the Cart' is to be returned for a end of life overhaul.
Whilst making a decision, the Quintet Blue is seemingly delivering good sound whilst in service and doing its job fine. The Cart' has undoubtedly had the impact, where it has swung you towards your Vinyl Source.
How many usage hours are on the Quintet ?
Will it benefit from a Mid Life Intensive Clean ?
My further suggestion is to attempt to loan a few Phonostages for demo' purposes across a few months and see if other synergies can be found for the Quintet that increases the good impression already made. This practice does not necessarily need to have much cost attached, but the learning can be immeasurable as a outcome.
I myself, thoroughly enjoy how a Phonostage interfaces with a Cartridge and have been through quite a selection and been demo'd many many more. The present situation being, A Valve Hybrid, Valve Input / Output are readily available to be experienced in use along with SUT's, and a Birthday Present SS Phon' is being commission built, which will be bready for my usage very near the big day, but will be a little late as the present for the big day. Phon's for myself are much more fun than Cartridges, probably because they impact on an end sound, to the point it is a deal breaker / or maker, but are definitely not stupidly fragile as a device, or end up seizing mechanically through the efficiency of attracting contamination.