That is so true. I remember those original pressings from the '60s and they were gawdawful--noisy, compressed, practically unlistenable.
MGM's Kama-Sutra recording of The Lovin' Spoonful's Greatest Hits sounds absolutely drone while the Rhino version of the same is clearly delightful.
Thanks for another comprehensive review and what has served as a sanity check for me, because it corroborates what I've been experiencing. I have an M97xE on a Technics SL1210 M5G and it just keeps sounding better and better. It has far exceeded the resolution and musical satisfaction I expected of a cartridge at this price.
I started out in March with both an Ortofon OM 10 and the Shure. At first I liked the Ortofon better, but over time the Shure has emerged as the clear winner. It has a richness of presentation that belies its modest price.
I would describe a fully broken-in M97xE as neutral while avoiding any hint of sterility. It is also quick without being edgy. Spinning platters with this Shure evokes the strongest emotional reactions I've ever experienced when playing recorded music in my home.
I also like its sound better with the brush down in place, and in that configuration it'll play warped records that would toss most stylii right out of the groove. I sure hope Shure keeps this one in its lineup for some time to come.