Best cartridge under $1500.

I’m really happy with the Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC. Right at $1500. 

Lyra Delos

Love the 17D3, don't think you can get a more accurate cart on the market. Fussy with setup is the only downside.

AT-33PTG/II from 2juki on eBay for $500. 

cohicks4: FWIW, I recently reviewed three cartridges here:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/3-cartridges-reviewed?highlight=3%2Bcartridges%2Breviewed

Though more money, I felt the ART 9 and MIMC Star were significantly better than the Quintet Black. I ended up going with the MIMC Star and have been using it now for a few months--it is a very nice cartridge that, in my system, checks all your boxes--particularly with regard to "rich midrange" which I find very fleshed out and vibrant. I felt the high frequency response of the ART 9 was a little more refined than the MIMC Star but the Soundsmith had richer, tighter bass. Both are EXCELLENT for the money and what you will hear is obviously going to be system dependent. Be advised that the MIMC Star is pretty low compliance and the ART 9 is pretty high so chose carefully based on the mass of your arm.