To match its performance in a Moving Coil cartridge, you would need to spend around $500 (e.g., the Denon DL-103, which also requires a step-up transformer). When you factor in that the Smile Best has a user-replaceable stylus (buy the Sumiko "Smile Best Replacement Stylus" when it wears out), the long-term value is undeniable.
Do not judge a new Sumiko out of the box. The suspension is stiff. You need of playtime. Before break-in, the cartridge may sound flat (a "straight line"). After 40 hours, the bass relaxes and the treble opens up, revealing the classic smile curve. sumiko smile best