What cartridge on your VPI prime?


I own a VPI prime, I installed a denon 103 R and I had never change the cart due to lack of funds. Now I want to upgrade my analog ring to the same level of my digital.
I have been considering based on reviews.

1- ortofon quintet
2- charisma MC2
3-ortofon black
4-kiseki blue.
5- rega alpheta 2.

I would appreciate any inputs from your end about cartridge selection and phono associated currently I am using graham slee reflex M.
Kind regards and thank you.
128x128mountainsong

Showing 5 responses by ekimg

I am very interested if anyone has heard the Charisma MC-2 particularly on a Prime. I am debating between this and a Lyra Delos. 
Can say i'm using an Ortofon MM Bronze currently which is very nice but recently upgraded to a Manley Chinook and am wanting to try out a MC cartridge so heard lots of good reviews for the Delos and Prime but the Charisma is intriguing.
Jmcgrogan....I just installed a Cadenza Bronze on my Prime today. I had a 2M Bronze on it and thought I could just use the same mounting screws....but no. Just like you they didn't work. All the screws by themselves were to short or to long. But I saw in the hardware bag a small spacer (larger than the washer) and used that...it worked just fine. Look in your bag and see if those are there. They screw on. Good luck. 


Glad you got it installed. After installing it yesterday it sounded pretty good for my first install. But today it seems pretty "fuzzy."  I relooked at VTF (2.75) and played with VTA some and even changed loading (200, 100, and 50) but just doesn't seem clear?  Any thoughts?
I used the VPI jig. I have a Mint ordered. Still sounding "fuzzy" so will continue to tweak today. I have it set at 100 ohms into a Manley Chinook and adjusted the azimuth various times?  Are you using anti-skate. I tend not to but I hooked that up and seemed to help but not alleviate the issue. Yea this is my first attempt so I have a lot to learn. Bought it here on Audiogon...used. Reported to have only about 10 hours use so could it be because it still needs break in?  Everything looked fine.