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
Well I just got a quote from Andy to retip a Vitruoso for half the price of Soundsmith back east. Is what he is offering comparable to the Soundsmith? The quote that soundsmith gave me which I believe is just a standard charge which was for a Ruby tipped stylus. It seems all of you are quite satisfied with his work which is a good thing for me since I am only 250 miles away from his location.
Ive had nothing be outstanding success with Andy. More than not a stylus cleaning was all that was necessary for the 7 or 8 cartridges i have sent him. First class work and communication.
Want to share more success with Andy. He fixed my Shelter 5000 superbly at less than half the quoted cost of another company. Great communication as well.

A+
I recently sent an original Benz glider to Andy.  Turnaround was about a month.  He replaced my cantilever and stylus.  Looks the same as old.  Stylus is a little different.  Sounds great.  So far only 10 or so hours.  Sounds like a Benz glider to me. 





I recently had the cantilever replaced in my Fidelity Research FR1. I chose to go with the original materials, aluminum with line contact diamond. Turnaround was 4 weeks and it sounds excellent. I must say though that the diamond is a lot smaller than the original.