CA would not be on my list at all. Have to spend a lot more than other brands to be same quality no matter how nice they look. I do have loads of experience with them as a good friend of mine buys nothing but CA for years and years. Now I live far from him, luckily I don't have to pretend to like them anymore. I'm not a fan. But I have owned a few of the cartridges virtuoso and maestro were 2 of them and they are the same , overpriced for performance. My $1200 grado was way better than the $1200 maestro. Just my opinion though, ymmv. I recently sold a Merrill Williams real (Mike called it corky dorky) but it would compete with any mentioned here for less money than most. Ugly duckling but great performance.
I'm a huge feikert fan, and in my future hopefully will be going that way. I love amg and spiral groove but could never pony up that kind of money. Vpi is talked down upon a lot and I'm one who does, I have owned 5 of them. but under $10k with arm I've not heard many better than prime signature. Best of luck in your search.