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Andy Kim - Needle Clinic

I wanted to put this post out there about Andy Kim of Needle Clinic, located in Bellevue, Washington. As many may know, Andy is a cartridge re-tipper. I tried to find some older posts to add my comments but couldn't find them. So I'll start another OP. I just got my Lyra Kleos back from Andy today. Here's my comments.

My Kleos sounded a little off lately, so I thought it should be checked out. I sent it to Andy Kim. It turns out all that was needed was the stylus required a cleaning and polishing. Andy reported back that the stylus only has about 10 percent wear; IOW plenty of life left.

So I remounted the Kleos today and have been playing all types of music: rock and roll, classical, and so forth. The Kleos sounds wonderful; just great. Kudos to Andy Kim.

Fyi -- some may ask why I didn't send it to Peter Ledermann at Sound-Smith. I seem to recall reading somewhere that he's been unusually busy lately -- and with good reason -- and turn around might be a bit delayed. Also, I'm not sure Peter uses replacement cantilever/stylus assemblies that match (or at least come close to) the original. Andy does.
Anyway, that is a bridge I don't have to cross today.

Bottom line: Andy turned my cartridge within a week of receipt and I am pleased.
bifwynne
leegross
3 posts
 

I'd like to share my positive experience with Andy Kim. My Ortofon A90 was in need of a retip/rebuild as it had developed a noisy channel. Ortofon does offer a "rebuild/exchange" program but that was more money than I wished to spend, plus I was interested in the sound of this cartridge with a different stylus profile. I chose Andy as the rebuilder as he's here in California and offers a quick turnaround, plus his reviews were excellent.

Andy discovered damage to the Replicant 100 stylus plus a tweaked cantilever. His replacement cantilever has a micro-ridge stylus. He also reconditioned the suspension, straightened the remaining cantilever, and cleaned the cartridge internals.

The cartridge was back in my hands in a few days and, while it's impossible to compare this rebuilt cart with it's new self, it sounds top-notch. I've very pleased and it was much easier to dial in - Andy suggested 2.0 grams with a level headshell - bingo. On top of that I saved ~$1500 compared to a factory exchange.

I highly recommend Andy Kim's cartridge services. 

munden
1 posts
 

I agree with all the previous positive comments on Andy's work. My koetsu Rosewood Signature was returned in 8 days including shipping over the July 4th holiday, last week.

For comparison, a rebuild through MoFi and the Koetsu factory was estimated to be in  the mid 4 figures with a minimum 12 week turnaround. It was a no-brainer for me, and the workmanship was top notch.

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

@munden Another positive for the Third Party Cartridge Service, especially a Service that has a time served technician at the helm.

It looks like a few new albums are on the radar with all your saved monies burning hole in your pocket 😎.

Post removed 
pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

@lardawg I always feel the need to chi in.

I have used Cart' rebuild Services, and gave the utmost praise for the Skills of the Technicians at their helm.

My own and others I know who are using this method, has as a result, created genuine advocates of the practice.

To hear the Cart' had a unknown of fault and the assessment offered following Andy's work is one more story to encourage others to make a Contact with a Third Party Service. 

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