I have two VPI Prime Signatures and have used two Koetsu carts,
the Vermillion and the Rosewood platinum Signature. Set up properly both sounded great. I also have used several Benz Micro carts and their sound fine but bright. Finally I settled for two Van den Hul carts- the Stradivarius
Signature and the Stradivarius Master Signature. They simply are outstanding. Each of the carts were not that difficult to set up if you know
how the arm works. However each cart has a very different signature with the Koetsu being warm and less detailed. My belief is that the VPI arm will accommodate most carts. I suggest adding the Soundsmith
weight system to make the setup easier. Choose the cart that sounds right to your ears and set the VTA properly. Some carts like the Soundsmith and Benz are very bright and others are more balanced.
Anyway since your VPI is a state of the art turntable, it is the cart that will
have the most impact on the sound.
the Vermillion and the Rosewood platinum Signature. Set up properly both sounded great. I also have used several Benz Micro carts and their sound fine but bright. Finally I settled for two Van den Hul carts- the Stradivarius
Signature and the Stradivarius Master Signature. They simply are outstanding. Each of the carts were not that difficult to set up if you know
how the arm works. However each cart has a very different signature with the Koetsu being warm and less detailed. My belief is that the VPI arm will accommodate most carts. I suggest adding the Soundsmith
weight system to make the setup easier. Choose the cart that sounds right to your ears and set the VTA properly. Some carts like the Soundsmith and Benz are very bright and others are more balanced.
Anyway since your VPI is a state of the art turntable, it is the cart that will
have the most impact on the sound.