Upgrade From SME IV to V - Worth It

In the Link there is discussion had on this Threads Topic.

My own experiences had back in another times Halcyon Days, was that the V could not convince me it was a Betterment to the IV.

The IV is still owned today and no longer used.

In recent times I have experienced witnessing individuals moving on from a V as well as know of others who have moved on from their V Models.

V demands great monies in todays used market and the V/12 is escalating in costs. The IV should be enjoying appreciation in value for these same reasons.

 https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/comparison-of-sonic-qualities-of-some-tonearms

My take on the IV is that it served a few purposes as follows:

1, I was in possession of a TA that was claimed to be competitive with the best from the era it was purchased.

2, There was a pride in having been the owner / user of the TA.

3, I was not shy to make it known I had a IV in use and did not sense the need for many years of ownership to investigate changes that could be made for it.

What changed I investigated upgrading the owned IV, from recollection there was discussions about ADEC 7 or even ADEC 9, as well as reproducing some critical parts from different materials, to be produced to extremely tight tolerances, using a very stable material and polishing this material to not usually produced surfaces finishing.

At the same time I was introduced to a TA, that had been created using a selection of the methods on the table for the IV, following the demo' of the TA compared to the IV, I was immediately convinced the IV was to be superseded, which it was.          

It is easy to keep the IV, I am keeping mine, at present there is no intention to reintroduce it, but that can always change in the future.

As the owned IV is a Donor Arm to be used, 'when it eventually happens', on a DD TT with a Plinth Design to have Three TA's mounted, ( 1 @ 9" - 1 @ 12" - 1 @ Variable P to S dimensions ). The idea that comes and goes, could be put in place  to show visitors to the Home System the differences between TA's on a TT that can mount Two TA's.

The present plan for the TA, is to watch how the value appreciates as a used sale item. If the IV or V model is entered into the used market today, and the sale is carefully undertaken. The two models are almost on par for being accessible to funds as a ATM.

There is still good experiences to be had, if the footwork is put in to get out and experience alternate devices being used to enable a Cart' to function. One of these experiences may prove to have a profound effect and make the idea of change to  become a unavoidable. A decision may be forced to be made, where one option chosen is seemingly going to be much more advantageous.

Making a decision about the IV, that's how it went for myself anyways.