Your choice - TT, Arm, Stage, Cartridge - $5000 budget

I own a VPI Prime, I also own a Ortofon Cadenza Bronze. Though the Bronze cartridge has very good reviews, it was not the best of combination with the VPI Prime, IMHO.
Not for technical reasons, VPI recommends cartridges with compliance > 10, and weight > 7 grams, the Bronze checks both of those boxes.

No, the reason I didn't think they were the best mates is the Bronze is a pretty warm sounding cartridge, and VPI tables are a bit on the warm side.
I found the combination too warm for my tastes.
That is why many who own VPI tables like Lyra and Dynavector cartridges, as they are more dynamic and revealing.
A Cadenza Black may be more suitable for the Prime.

Also, I'm not sure buying it to try it is a good idea either. You will be lucky to get $1200 on the used market for a Bronze. Which means you would still be out at least $400 if paying $1600.
The Bronze would make a good mate with another table, perhaps a Basis, which are more transparent than VPI tables.

That's just my $0.02.

Yeah, buying to try a new expensive cartridge is not a good idea at all. I still think you might want to focus more on the phono stage. I would almost certainly get new Allnic phono for about $2600 instead of, say, $2000 used. I am not sure the warranty is transferrable, and Allnic guarantees even tubes for one year. You have a tube amp, like the sound, and I would see no good reason to break the tube sound chain, especially in the beginning of it. I myself would probably replace the Acoustech with the Allnic if I could if someone convinced me that I would not lose any dynamics and pace and bass. This I would not tolerate. But each is different. Cartridge and speakers choice is known to be the most personal.

@jmcgrogan2 So you weren't the biggest fan of the Cadenza bronze? Have you tried any other carts on your Prime?

$1600 was just a touch more than I intended on spending on the cart. But the cart lists at $2300. So I can definitely push the boundaries of the budget a little, but only for something that is a definite slam dunk at that price, or a fantastic deal in general. 

I think I might prefer a dynamic and revealing cart. That being said, you are right, the reviews on the Bronze are pretty solid in general. But there are a ton of cart options up to $1600, especially if you factor in the used market. 

That being said,I still dont know how I feel about buying carts on the used market. Seems like a great way to save some cash if the situation is reasonable. Dealers, low use, well maintained, etc. 

There is a dealer demo Cadenza Blue @ audio asylum trader for $1133. The Cadenza Blue is supposed to be very detailed and dynamic. I almost bought it but ended up with a Black instead. Check it out....

whacky,

I have a audio-technica AT-0C9. Used it for 3-4 hrs. It would get you some decent sound until you decide how you want to go and always have as a backup.

Its been sitting in a drawer for 10yrs +/- ; I would let it go for $80 includes shipping.

Would get you music and you can use it to learn "setup " without stress.