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New or used cartridge

I have have good experiences buying a previously owned cart in the past, but have heard several telling me to buy new..  I wish there was a way, to tell how many hours was on a used cart.  Other than putting the cantilever under a microscope,  I see no way concerning the hours/use/condition of a used cart..  I kinda look at it as buying a used car.  Let someone else take the initial "hit". then buy from them, as they're moving over or up.  I have an excellent Koetsu Urushi Black I'm going to put up for sale.  I love it's sound, but am wanting to move up the ladder so to speak.
Please give me opinions concerning this.
handymann
handymann OP
383 posts
 
Terry9:  Thanks for the info, but there's nothing wrong with my Urushi Black. Just thought I would move up.                                          Steve
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,901 posts
 
@terry9 
Consider having your Koetsu rebuilt through a Japanese or Asian deputy service. E.g. EIFL (Japan) advertises this for low-2000s on stone platinum model. Otherwise, the USA distributor & dealer will each take a hefty cut, and do nothing to expedite the process. Also, the rebuild cost does not rise for the premium stones, so the long-term cost on say a Coralstone can start to look pretty reasonable. 

I've also heard that Koetsu will not touch a cartridge that's been worked on by any 3rd party. Not sure if that still holds, but it certainly keeps me away from any 3rd part work. Over the years I've seen an awful lot of Koetsu with SoundSmith ruby cantilevers "less than 10 hours", etc, for sale.
terry9
2,333 posts
 
@mulveling 
Is EIFL an authorized service facility? Their website does not specify.

handymann OP
383 posts
 
I'm as guilty-maybe more than some, about not reading the initial question thoroughly, or posting "my" response before reading others. My Urushi Black is in very good condition. It doesn't need to be serviced. Just thought I would consider my options, as far as moving up the food chain.   I've seen where some retailers offer a trade in allowance of as much as 25%, but their prices are already inflated, so that doesn't mean much. May go up to a Jade Platinum. I need to go online, to get a description of the different sounds of each. If any of u can describe the different sounds of the upper line of Koetsu's, I will appreciate your input. 
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,901 posts
 
@terry9 
They're just a deputy service that facilitates the transfer of Japanese goods. They would route your cartridge directly to Koetsu Japan (which is the only place to receive a genuine rebuild) on your behalf, just as if you were a Koetsu owner living in Japan. I haven't yet used EIFL myself, but it looks like a viable option, and I've used deputy services from Japan in the past for purchasing other goods (often of quite significant value).
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