This is something very similar to Audio Note's Level system theory. You don't want one aspect to outclass somehting else too much because all it will do is highlight the deficiencies of other parts of the chain. The Top end shure would likely be far better on a top end or very up there turntable where on my table it would probably bring out the weaknesses of the platter and detract from the music and maybe even be annoying. Thus you have the M97Xe for my deck and comparable decks (and then there is the whole arm thing and sound damping boards.

My dealer is huge into turntables and hav 10,000LP's in the store - so it is very interesting to hang out there and hear this stuff in action and what once reads as BS in practice is anythig but. They carry about 6 different lines of tables and have had a few they brought in felt was garbage and sent packing.

System synergy never gets enough attention and really it is more critical than any one componant in my view. It's also why there are so many people running around trying to buy tube preamps for their receivers and trying to upgrade the sound by looking to cables or reading endless magazine reviews which say that everything is great. I think the Shure is a nice little Cart it is way way better than the GOldring it came with if for no other reason that it can play the LP without hideous distortion in the inner tracks.