When everybody discusses what's more important amplifier or speakers to invest in I went the other way and started with my source. When my vintage JVC QLY-66f DD turntable was new in 1982 it was a top of the line Japanese market choice. It came with an ortofon cart that I replaced with the Pickering V-15 from J&R.
20 years later I discovered the MM Empire EDR-9, a bargain NOS discontinued cart for $200, I still use it.
Now it has a BLISS™ Shibata stylus from Turntableneedles.com
Around 2006 I purchased a Clear Audio Maestro V1 for around $1200 that now costs the same to replace the Boron Cantilever with Nude Contact Line diamond with Clear Audio, I recently had it inspected by Sound-Smith and it is still good to go. They also repaired the TT's power supply leaking capacitors and inspected the cartridge and set up the turntable for around $500. If they had needed to replace the styli it would've been another $500.
The Maestro V2 is the most expensive MM cartridge around at this time with the the same V1 Boron Cantilever with Nude Contact Line diamond as MC cartridges that cost $25,000