I just got my first Shibata setup the other day - an AT33SA. It's fantastic! I'm really surprised at how good it is, and I really don't get the whole Shibata set-up angst. I don't have VTA on the fly but there's absolutely no problems going from skinny LPs to 180gm.
I bought this as a stop-gap to use until I can get my Miyajima to Holistic Audio, but I won't be in any rush now. It's a superb match with my 12" Ace Space, so I'm not sure I'll bother trying it with my FR64S. And it has a great synergy with my Longdog MCJ3. The gain structure is perfect, and like all Audio Technica it sounds just right at 100 Ohms. It seems to me very quiet in the groove and has a lovely balance between clarity, dynamics and texture. It's not quite got the tonal magic of my Miyajima, but nor does anything else I can remotely afford. So far, I love it.
It would be interesting to compare with an AT33PTG, but I'm not certain I can be bothered at this point. I do have an old AT33EV but I know already that this SA is significantly better. I've also used an AT50ANV in the past. That was probably the most dynamic and revealing cartridge I've had, but I found it more difficult to get perfect set-up. This was before I had a Dr Feickert.
In addition to the help of the good Dr F, I now have the Azimuth tool that Tony L recently recommended, and it is probably the best tenner I've spent in a while. A thoroughly useful little tool, and perhaps one reason why I've not had any problems with Shibata set-up.
From Shibata martyr to Shibata evangelist!