VPI Shyla cartridge?

If you look at the Prime 21 vs the Prime 21+ you are paying a US$2000 premium for a rebadged Audio Technica ART9 which you can buy for a US1k and a better phono cable. This is typical VPI upselling strategy.

The only benefit I can see is it comes pre set up which saves you that hassle if you are a novice.

At US$6500 check out the Rega P10 as a comparison.

"The only benefit I can see is it comes pre set up which saves you that hassle if you are a novice."
At US$6500 check out the Rega P10 as a comparison. "

It's not a package I would ever consider. I like the Rega P10, but if I had to choose between the 2, I would go with the Prime.

you are paying a US$2000 premium for a rebadged Audio Technica ART9 which you can buy for a US1k and a better phono cable

So what phono cable would you get? If you had that same $2K budget for cart and cable, what would you grab? 

"So what phono cable would you get? If you had that same $2K budget for cart and cable, what would you grab? "

displayname-
 $2k cart/cable will  you allow for plenty of choices. Obviously, your particular table/phonostage  will be a factor for an appropriate choice.

The ART9 should work on many. At $1200, it leaves you with around $800. Cable choice? It's another contentious/polarizing subject. I'd spend around $500 or less. Used could mean something 1/2 of retail.

Do we have any hard evidence that this is an unmodified ART9 outside of color and branding? 

It's not like AT hasn't built variants of their carts to a manufactures design before (MoFi is a recent example).