What Does It Take To Surpass A SME V?

syntax or not syntax you can't win.

😁 funny thing about that...

Raúl, I compared the SMEV – 12 to the SME 3012R both on the SME model 30/12 turntable over a period of about a month.    I built a standalone arm pod so I could have both Tonearms on the same turntable. I could not use the vintage tonearm on the modern turntable so I switched the modern tonearm onto the arm pod and I compared both arms on the same arm pod with the same cartridge on the same turn table under the same conditions in the same system.   
 

to me the SME V tonearm is over damped and colored sounding.   The vintage 3012R sounds much more natural in my system.  

I have a similar impression comparing a SME 3012R to a Kuzma 4P. The 3012R sounds livelier in a pleasing way, the 4P over-damped. Comparisons made with a Lyra Etna and two ART 7s on a Luxman PD444 with three arms and two 3012Rs, one stock and the other(better one) with silver wire and a bronze bearing.

two 3012Rs, one stock and the other(better one) with silver wire and a bronze bearing.

I don't know why anyone would use bronze for a knife edge bearing, it is too soft and will wear quickly.