Cartridge Dilema For New Turntable

Yup. Keep it. If you need to change it, look at the AT ART9.

@stereo5 I like the tracking and that it doesn’t emphasize the clicks and pops on my well worn Rock records. I am quite satisfied with the sound of it.

I think you should look for Shibata stylus instead of your conical Denon:

Playing back a record with Shibata stylus which has been previously worn with a cheap conical or eliptical stylus can result in near pristine sound - this is because the Shibata shape can "read" the groove wall in areas that were not contacted by the simpler cheap stylus shapes.

Don't hesitate to try vintage MM cartridges, because the sound of MM is closer to original mastertape than MC. That's why MM was the industry standard at the best disc mastering studios like Sheffield Lab etc. You already have classic MC cartridge modified by ZU, try classic MMs like JVC Victor X1 or X1II (both have Shibata), Grace F-9F or F-9U (line contact and shibata), Audio-Technica  AT-ML170 or AT-ML180 (micro liner), Garrott p77 (micro tracer). Those carts are simply amazing (but rare).      

 

Your cartridge should be fine until it needs to be retipped. If you do not have a rector day cleaning machine you should buy one. The VPI 16.5 or new Pro-Ject RCM would be a good place to start.

A friend is happy with that same cart on a VPI Scoutmaster that is arguably better than the Prime. I agree that you should be fine with it. Cheers,
Spencer