What Does It Take To Surpass A SME V?

I can’t see any " insult " and yes there is no " best " tonearm.

What ’s wrong with the word " win " that certainly is not my target in any thread. I posted several times that an audio forum is " win " to " win " with no loossers at all.

R.

I tried several arms when I got into the hobby, several decades ago, but at that time I judged the SME V to be the best choice and I still use them on a Sota Cosmos and a VPI TNT V in two of my systems. 

Setting up amd trying different arms with the same tables and cartridges is a lot of work and once you reach a conclusion you aren't anxious to do it all over again.  I certainly agree that there are other arms out there that may be superior but I long ago stopped searching for the audio golden grail.

Only a few months ago after you posted in other thread your Tri advice: Mike Lavigne said not reallly good tonearm and I know he knew why but you don't still today.

This statement is false. I have not mentioned Mike in any way. But now that you brought him up, he has a friend that makes a much more expensive arm ($16,000 last I heard). It copies the Triplanar VTA tower but is otherwise different. I found it didn't play bass as well as the Triplanar and the Triplanar seemed more neutral so I still prefer it. What Mike likes is his business and I don't fault him for it. We have differing opinions but somehow remain cordial on the web and in person because neither of us find reason to level personal attacks at the other!

You would do well to emulate his grace.

FALSE, I do not posted that: " you mentioned ".

I owned an SME V on a Model 10 then compared it to a V12 on a Model 30/12.   I then compared a 3012R to the V-12.   I prefer the 3012R.   It sounds more natural and less damped.