[cpw]

Here's my $.02 though my experience w/ high end vinyl is limited:
Get at least an MMF-5 and if you go up from there get a VPI Scout. You can certainly go up from there but you quickly reach a point of diminishing returns (I recognize that others may not agree here).
I think the phono stage is worth some investment. I have the Ray Samuels XR-2 and you could spend alot more money for less quality and sound. OTOH, a friend has a Radio Shack battery powered stage that actually sounded damn good and it's practically free. YMMV.
I've only tried about 5 carts. My least favorite was the Grado Platinum Reference. It was noisy w/ out lots of fiddling and though it sounded great on some material, it was not what I consider a good all around cart.
Dynavector (10X5) was very good but I finally settled on the lowly Blue Point Special EvoIII from Sumiko. It is cheap (so I won't shrink from replacing it when its time comes), deadly quiet and sounds great on every type of music I can throw at it.
I'm having great fun w/ vinyl even though it doesn't always sound better than CD. It's a way of life.
Todd is a great guide. He'll give you honest and competent advice. Whaddaya got to lose?
CPW