Purple Heart = Purple Rain?

Take a look at Soundsmith Paua or Sussurro. I have the latter. It tracks better and retrieves more detail than the Purpleheart which I had. The Purpleheart was also a pain to set up and I also had to get Upscale Audio to send one or two replacements until I got one with a parallel cantilever. But that was 3 or 4 years ago so I can’t speak to the current quality,

Kiseki PH is everything positive user reviews mention.

I've used  the Kiseki Blue on my VPI Classic, but had QC issues with 2. First one the stylus fell off, the replacement had a right channel issue that conveniently developed just outside the warranty. That said, I can not recommend Kiseki.

If you want value=performance/cost, consider the Audio Technica ART9. Half the cost. I've used it before and after the Kiseki experience. Look at the XA model if you have 65db+  gain. 

The ART9 is HW approved, and from what I understand, what the  VPI Shyla cart is based on.

Check out Soundsmith also.

@schubert, Purple Heart is the type of wood used for the cartridge body.  Thanks for your service. 

Add me add me to the list of people who had QC issues with the Purple Heart.   

@big_greg :
Kron doesn't offer much of a warranty other than if you have a problem come back to me & 100% won't cover any stylus issue because you can
always point to user error , so thats a big gamble for me. 

I wish there was a way to audition all these Soundsmith , Kiseki, Ortofon, AT carts....I have a pretty discerning ear (music producer) not sure I'd hear the $5000 vs $700 difference .. 🤷🏻‍♂️

@tommypenngotti I didn't ask Kron, but assumed "grey market".  

I recently picked up a Soundsmith Aida II and really like it.  I like the people behind it too.  I bought mine second hand and it didn't have a stylus guard.  I contacted Soundsmith to see if I could buy one and they sent me one free.