Syntax, there are various components other than a stylus in a cartridge that change over time. The suspension wire gradually develops a "set" (the same reason why some cartridges ride lower and lower to the LP, or need less VTF as they grow older), the resilience of the dampers change, coil wires develop flex-induced stiffening and eventually fatigue, the plating on the output pins tarnishes or rubs off, and so on.
As the manufacturer of the Clavis, we have access to all of the original replacement parts, which no one else can claim (and the work and voicing is done by the same person who built the cartridge in the first place, which also has a major influence on the sound). As one example, the Clavis used a ceramic whisker-reinforced alloy for the cantilever that had a very particular sonic signature (you could see this on the measurements, if you knew what to look for), and because of the need to compensate for the effects of that specific cantilever material, we designed a matching (and unique) tubular triple-damper system and a copper-based suspension wire. When we subsequently changed cantilever materials, the compensation requirements from the damper and suspension changed, and therefore we revised the damper system (to a non-tubular system) to match, likewise the suspension wire metallurgy. For these reasons, I certainly wouldn't recommend changing the cantilever material on a Clavis without a commensurate change to the dampers and suspension.
OTOH, I believe that a stylus replacement (if it can be done with no other change to the cantilever structure) could be worthwhile, since the Clavis used a 3x30um Ogura PA stylus, which in later years we changed to a different stylus with a profile of 3x70um (variable radius). If the stylus that Soundsmith retains a small minor radius (2.5 or 3um) and uses a major radius with something like 70um or 80um, I could see that as being beneficial and still remain friendly for set-up. You may want to ask Soundsmith for the dimensions of the stylus that they used.
Oregonpapa, I take pride in my designs, yes, but I take more pride in the design progress that I have continued to make over the years. It was certainly not my intent to be critical of your desire for a lower retip price, and I believe that I said so in my first post. However, I did bristle at your characterization "the Clavis is basically an early version of a Lyra Skala", when there is literally nothing in common between the two. In my mind, the Skala is a far more advanced design, and it should be, having been launched in 2006, while the Clavis was launched around 1990. If I was so inept a designer that, after 16 years, I wasn't able to come up with a substantially different and improved design than the Clavis, I should give my job to someone more capable.
So if I came across as being snide in my original reply, it was most likely because I felt offended by your mis-characterization. I probably shouldn't have felt offended, because I doubt if you meant it or understood what you were implying, but that's how I felt.
That said, if you feel that I was being snide, then you have my profound apologies. When I lose my temper (which isn't often, mind you), I may say or write things that I shouldn't. And in my opinion, your subsequent replies have been quite even-tempered and fair. Thank you for that.
In response to your query about what we charge for a rebuild, first please understand that we don't do partial retips. We only do complete rebuilds, where every wearable or cosmetically noticeable part is replaced (or at least refurbished and refinished). Judging from the number that you mentioned for a Soundsmith retip, the amount of money that we take for ourselves is not so different from Soundsmith (for a cartridge retailing for US$1500-2000 - for our more complex cartridges that we spend more time and effort on, we ask for more renumeration). However, unlike Soundsmith, our contracts with our individual distributors (in each country or sales region) stipulate that we conduct our business through first the national distributor and then a dealer (and sometimes there will be intermediate distribution layers as well). The additional layers of distribution go a long way to explaining the difference in price that you pay for a Soundsmith retip vs. a Lyra rebuild (again, for cartridges retailing for US$1500-2000). FWIW, I believe that in most countries, the price that you will pay to a dealer for a Lyra rebuild (for effectively a brand-new cartridge, and the work is done by the original builder) is about 60-66% of retail price.
Although the Skala is an excellent, fun-sounding cartridge that I like a lot, in my mind, the spiritual (not technological - smile) successor to the Clavis is the lower-priced Helikon. Now, I expect that we will be able to make an interesting announcement pertaining to that price-point within a month or two, so please keep your ears open. I know that times are tough for all of us, and spending is important to keep under control (hopefully while simultaneously increasing the enjoyment that we get from our audio systems). This is the single biggest reason why I chose to introduce my latest pre-biased damper technology from the Delos, rather than unveiling it in something like a Titan or Skala-class cartridge.
Mt10425, things are pretty much as I explained to Syntax and Oregonpapa. I may have overreacted to Oregonpapa's unintended mis-characterization of the Clavis Skala, and for that I apologize. Was there anything else that you think I deserve to be raked over the coals for? (said tongue-in-cheek - grin)
On a slightly different issue, if an engineer cannot be a know-it-all about nearly every aspect of his designs; if he is not able to justify or defend every engineering decision that he's made, he's not putting enough thought into his work IMHO. Perhaps he should try to avoid behaving like said know-it-all (Mt10425, your point is well-taken), but I would expect that level of conviction (at least) from most good engineers, and demand it from any engineer who I subcontracted for work.
Nrenter, Markd51, thanks for the words of support.
cheers, all
jonathan carr
