Actually lower distortion of the signal IS what separates a "High Fidelity" reproduction from one that is not. Your subjective preference has nothing to do with it.

The Shure V15 type IV was a well respected cartridge in it's day. The current permutation, the Shure v15vxmr is very well received by the audiophile community, even though very little improvement in distortion levels were, or are achievable with phono technology.