Riv, I don't know why but after getting home way past my bedtime, I checked the new posts here...and saw this thread. Interested, I read it. In the late 70's I replaced a belt drive Pioneer TT with a Pioneer PL-540 Direct Drive semi automatic TT. I had nothing to compare it to but it always performed great. The Cart is some kind of Audio Technica. I still have it and was using it a few years ago when I began my journey back to Hi Fi and Vinyl with a Decware purchase. It is in perfect condition and I plan to use it in my second system with those 2008 Zen Signature Monoblocks you'd like to pry from my hands ...haha. It is this pair once owned by Mike B of Seattle. He had Steve do the CCK mod then later had new resistors and Jupiter Bees Wax caps installed. They are wonderful. I'm sure the new ones are just as good or better.
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1359836217Anyway, I digress, Riv, how did you decide on the Shure V15 Cart. At some point I'll need a new one but don't want to break the bank. It's in the second system after all. A Rega RP6 with an Exact II cart is in my main system.
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/pioneer/pl-540.shtml