Demo Windfeld Ortofon Cart at Musicdirect

Ortofon offers ''refurbished Windfeld'' for 1750 euro. Raul introduced
this expression without much explanation. One can think about
cleaning, suspension change and retip either with cantilever/stylus
combo or stylus alone. But manufacturer ''refurbishing'' means
the whole new generator in the same body. My Koetsu Rosewood
Signature was refurbished by Koetsu for 2000 euro. The same
''method'' is used by Ortofon. Ortofon and other manufacturer
do not offer what we call ''retip''. That is obviously the reason to
use ''repair service'' instead because those are much cheaper.
Stylus alone, for example, cost about 180 GBP by ''Expert stylus''
in UK.  In this context the price of $ 2795 looks ,say, ''curious''.

Nandric-

When mfrs sell refurbished items - that to me means that it was initially damaged or didn't meet the standards for whatever reason and hence had to be repaired/fixed. I've always chosen "open box/demos" over "refurbished" items that are of considerable cost and also never bought B-stock items - that's my preference. However, it seems that you have had good experience with refurbished items and consider it "as new". Personally, I'd taken the MD Ortofon over a refurbished one, but that's ust me and I just bought another cart.

rdk 777, what ''refurbished '' means to you is not relevant. New generator means new cartridge in technical sense. Generator's
and bodies are separate products put together at the production
end.  Demo carts are actually second hand carts because they
are used . As such not new.  The difference between ''existing body' and new body is academic. The ''old body'' by my Koetsu is preserved with the argument that ''old wood'' sounds better.

I had my Cadenza Bronze refurbished at Ortofon.  It was perfect in every respect.  If it were me I'd go the refurbished route.  As Nandric says a demo is used.  Carts are TOO easy to damage despite what someone may advertise.  Refurbished other than the body is BRAND NEW. 

If you go the refurbished route, move quickly.  They sell out fast..

I use a Winfield for my every day cartridge....it’s very good, but setup is critical. Be very precise in the azimuth adjustment....it can make or break the sound. You also should experiment with loading...(I use 1000 ohms, but you might like something different.) The Etna is better but at a much higher cost...   There is a new Winfield that sounds very, very similar....though there is a bit better dynamics in the new one.