Good carts with SME V

The Titan i does make this record sound “sharp”. But was it meant to sound that way? I think, yes. There should be some razor blade to the sound. Now that it is better adjusted, the bass performance is very tight and sounds great. The guitar of Steve Howe sounds more full, warm.

I've been a Yes fan from way back, and also have UK originals for most of their early stuff.
I've not heard any sharpness on Relayer. The only version of Close to the Edge that seems to hold up is the original UK version (the pipe organ does not break up) followed closely by the Mobile Fidelity version. In a number of ways The Yes Album (purple Atlantic label) seems the best recorded...

Atmasphere - glad you like Yes -or like me, their best parts. Pipe organ - I will check.
Invictus005 and rauliregas - a case in point could be Doors albums. Recorded through tubes at first, s-state later. Giving a more hard, flat sound, to my ears. Although much is forgiven when I listen to the Analogue Production 45 rpm double LPs of the albums.Koetsu Black is off the map for now, has been sold. Not sure if it would be anything for me anyway. Much is shrouded mystery it seems. One writer states that carts even within one model sound widely different. Lyras have a consistent sound, Koetsus not.
 

I love form and finish as a final solution in a product. A beautiful-sounding cart should have as good a material design and form and look as well as possible. But more than that? I get sceptical. If the sound is so-so, does it help me if I look at the beautiful cartridge? No, it is totally irrelevant. So all these exquisite stones and materials, the "look good" carts, who do they appeal to, serious listeners, or rich people wanting to show off?

Atmasphere - listening to Yes Close to the edge, side B track one with a heavy organ solo, I dont hear any breakup. Where do you hear it? I have a ca second press UK.

I’m surprised I didn’t read one vdh recommendation?  That tonearm is supplied with his cable.

I had the sme 4 In a set up that included a davinci grandezza 12” and a spj lyla arm. Although the sme 4 was my least favorite of the 3, it matched my frog perfectly and they produced an incredible presentation together.  I had a universe on the lyla and dynavector drt Xv-1s on the davinci.

The Xv-1s and davinci was a match made in heaven. It was the best combo I have ever experienced period and by a great deal.  The universe and lyla and the frog and sme 4 were fantastic as well.  They very close in their interpretations with each doing something’s better than the other.  If I had to pick one or the other I would have to pick the universe and lyla.  

But the frog was best with the sme for sure and that combo was far less expensive and would be considered a lesser pairing than the others simply by price and there prospective weight class.  But they held there own admirably.