Basis Debut Gold Standard Mk V or Sota cosmiii

If I said "neither", would I have to provide an alternative?

There goes William, Bill, WC65Mustang, 101, whatever the name is today making assumptions about which he knows nothing. This is the only thing which is "undoubtedly" true. Since your post was obviously directed at me, Audiofeil, I will have you know that I have heard nearly every table in the Basis line, save the "Work of Art" and a few no longer in production tables. I've also heard the Cosmos, Star and Moonbeam tables - each with a liberal combination of arms and cartridges - and several older models. As far as being able to afford either, please, you embarrass yourself with such silly and patently absurd, as well as highly irrelevant, assertions.

FWIW to the OP, I would prefer neither of the tables he mentions as one I'd want full time in my system, and I'm certain that finding others who would agree among a wide variety of household income levels would not be all that difficult. If push came to shove and I was also concerned with value, I'd probably pick the Sota. SS makes some salient points in that regard. If I was concerned with resale value in the event my choice proved not to be one for the long term, I'd probably pick the Basis. I think that they are close enough performance-wise that, if the OP was bound to buy only one or the other, I'd have to know more about his tastes and the character of his other components before making a suggestion.

Trane (nice name BTW), I have owned (own) the Illustrious and an SME IV (but not a V). I have heard the V on several occasions, however. Again, these might not be MY first choices but, if you've decided on OL or SME, I'd really suggest the SME IV, as opposed to the V, on the Sota and with that cartridge. I think that you will experience as good, or better, performance and save a few quid in the process. Others can chime in with similar or differing experiences, but most every time I've heard the IV and V in comparison, I've liked the lower extension and midrange of the IV. But, nothing compares to personal listening, so try to audition them yourself if at all possible.

Yes, the origin of Trane was evident! :-) As to which specific arm, perhaps long time SOTA owners will chime in with their experience but I have HEARD the SME arms on a SOTA to good performance. Perhaps consider a SME IV and a Sumiko Celebration cartidge.

Because you look to be a very new poster here I will offer again the advice that you should go listen for yourself, if at all possible. If you post "what best arm" here you WILL get well intentioned replies. However there may be umpteen DIFFERENT suggestions and, further, those adamantly in favor of one arm will be countered by others who just as adamantly disagree. As an example, I heard a Graham 2.2 on a Cosmos which is owned by a friend and he continues to use this combo, and with a Shelter 901, too. I very much like the performance on that table, though I'd not suggest the Graham for every table. And, I know there are those on this board who do not care for the Graham and would roundly ixnay its use on the Cosmos.

What is the rest of your system – phono stage, amp, speakers, etc.? That help with respect to suggestions, too.