Looking for a New Cartridge

Just received Music Direct brochure in mail today they are doing 50% of all soundsmith cartridges, if I didn't have 2 SS and broke after Christmas I would buy one.

Browndt thank you. I also think that the soundsmith is a little not to my liking. I will see where I can audition the VDH. The problem with buying a new cart is it is a blind purchase most of the time. I am in the NY tri-state area and find it hard even here to find a retail store that has more than a couple of cartridges set up. Unless you have a friend that has what you are looking for already it's tough 

My journey continues.

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. 

I have the Prime Signature with the Cadenza Bronze base on VPI’s recommended cartridges for it, and the sound is fantastic.  I do not see why you would be disappointed with the Cadenza Black, but wonder why VPI did not recommend it over the Bronze.  Possibly about the same performance for a good bit more money??  You might want to contact VPI directly, and get their input. 

It seems to me there may be a much better way of looking at this. You already have a known top-flight cartridge. Why waste time chasing down the few cartridges that might work well with your arm? It seems to me the arm is the weak link. Always improve the weakest link is my approach. For the same money you are looking at spending on maybe the right cartridge you can buy an Origin Live arm that will make not only your Koetsu sing, but anything you put on it.

Origin Live are a breeze to set up. They come with a great interconnect hardwired, eliminating connections and the expense and hassle of matching cables. That's what I did, and my Conqueror is so much better than the Graham it replaced its not even funny- despite the Graham running some very expensive interconnects custom made for me by Ted Denney!! I seriously doubt you will run into any cartridge incompatibility problems with any Origin Live arm.

I’m not an expert but any means... 
but I have had these on my Mac MT-5.
Blue Point No 2
Soundsmith the Voice and Paua
ortofon 2M Black mc
dynavector 20x2 
london decca super cold
and clearaudio concerto v2

the clear audio killed them all on my arm and table.
Easier to setup. Never mistracks, very tolerant and great overall sound. Love it. Will get it again or one step up next time.
Same as you the 2M Black was a “transition” cartridge that was really awesome too.
Ryan

I didn't like the Soundsmith cart on my VPI table.  Yes, it was a good match compliance wise, but just didn't like the dry sound.  I have owned the Ortofon Quintet Black and Kiseki on my VPI, and also know the Cadenzra series well. If you like the Quintet sound, I would stay with the Cadenza series or look more into the Airtight PC-7.  I hear the Airtight PC7 is a great value at the price point as well.  

Koetsu are fantastic on the right arm. It’s a shame to be limited to the VPI unipivot once you reach the level of cartridges you’ve got. But the Orotofon Cadenzas are great cartridges and I’ve heard VPI likes them on their tables. I've got a Bronze and I wouldn't call it too warm overall, just relative to the other upper-line Ortofons I've heard.

Thank you all for fantastic feedback. 

Dweller soundsmith is not my cup of tea. Heard the zephyr and paua. 

Viridian what arm matching issues might I have with the kiseki? 

Stringreen are you talking about the Anna? 

They get better as  you up the Ortofon line.....don't go there if you aren't curious

Was using the Cadenza Black on the 3D arm of a Classic Signature. Now on the stainless arm of same table. Can only compare to Cadenza Red and 2M Black on this table. In this context the Cadenza Black doesn't make me curious of other carts. 

Elusive disc has a sale on Soundsmith cartridges which are supposed to mate well with VPI.