Table only as good as it s cartridge?

In essence, what you are saying is correct.A $500 cartridge, will sound as good as it can, on a properly set up $10,000 table.The whole rig will sound like a extremely good $500 cartridge. But a $5000 cartridge, will not sound as good as it's capable, on a properly set up $500 table.The whole rig will sound like a good sounding $1000 cartridge. I have done this,with a Oracle MK4, and a Graham 1.5 arm, and a Ortophon X5, vs a Thorens 166MK2,Akito 2 arm, and Koestu Rosewood Signature. I wanted to see if the high dollar rig made a difference, or was it just the cartridge. It made a huge difference.