What cartridge on your VPI prime?

Well, none right now. I just picked up my Prime on Friday, went to mount my Ortofon Cadenza Bronze and found that none of the mounting hardware will fit on the thicker headshell of the Prime. Hardware was fine on my Scout.
So I'm now waiting for new hardware to be delivered.

What is your budget? Maybe check out an Audio Technica ART9, they are getting a lot of love and seem to be reasonably priced.

Hey John if you want I'll trade you, the 2m Black with fit as is:).  Let us know how you like the Cadenza Bronze, it's on my radar.  

checkout the thread and consider the Audio Technica ART 9.
I have one on my VPI Classic.

You obviously have the gain enough for very low output, so the ART 7 will save you a few more bucks AND may offer a bit more performance over the ART 9, as its output voltage is lower.

Either choice, your unlikely to experience buyers remorse when you drop the needle on a favorite album.

Maybe THE best cost/performance LOMC @ $1k. I’m among many who have tried other carts in the 1K price point and beyond.
Users of uber carts say it is the the same class a 3K+ carts.

There’s a huge price gap in your cart considerations-Orto Black/Rega. If I had that latitude in cart purchase power, I would get the Kieseki PurpleHeart AND put a tubed phono stage on deck as a future upgrade.

Happy Listening.

I'm using the Ortofon Winfield...with smiles. 

I look at the Winfield but I don't see myself putting the smile anytime soon lol.