Cartridge Damaged, need advise on getting new

Course not. Who could?

I will say again that i think retipping is a good choice if finances are an issue. I’d rather have a top cartridge retipped than a brand new inferior cartridge.

But why do you think it must be inferior cartridge, do you believe that it can be a better cartridge even if the price is lower than retail of the new high-end cartridge ?

@chakster did you read my last post? I had an emt tsd 15 retipped by Soundsmith. Im actually listening to it at the moment. When i got it back i compared it directly to a new one with about 20 hours on it. Both were very different sounding.

Right, different sound, as you said

The original was definitely better though.

Exactly

But the retip didn’t cost much and for 1/4 the cost it’s money well spent. It’s good too. Just not as good as the original. This whole retipping thing should be looked at for what it is. Cost effective. I see people trying to sell retips for high prices, thinking they are like new again. They are not. A retip is just a retip.

Great post, exactly what i meant.
The cost is about $350-750 for retip/refurbish with different cantilever.

One example: paid about $500 for NOS Dynavector Karat with Diamond cantilever with Micro Ridge stylus (unused). Paid even less for NOS Dynavector Ruby with Micro Ridge stylus (unused).

Entire cartridge (NOS, boxed) with exotic cantilevers just for the mid price that retippers normally charge for service. And there are many cartridges anyone can find unused for reasonable price. Some people prefer to stuck with one cartridge forever, it’s hard to understand (at least for me).

I have had Peter rebuild some Benz carts for me ( up to Ebony L ) and the work and process and communication is all first rate. The reality is they come back sounding different for SURE.

I have certainly heard his stuff up thru Carmen and he js a designer of note - but he shouldn’t be your only source - only one person on earth knows everything and feels confident recommending products he has never heard.

Lyra and Hana would both be on my shortlist as well as Dynavector. Hoping that Dyna discount program works out.

best

Jim

A Cartridge that has been unfortunate to have a Stylus broken off, where the break is seen to be within the Cartridges Main Body, is a very different damage to a Stylus being broke as a result of a bend in it, or a Stylus needing to be re-tipped.
A stylus break within the body can damage the whole connection assembly inside, the bobbin and generator can incur damages, and these may not be able to be set back up to the manufacturers build specification.
A Cartridge may be returned as working after a treatment, but it may also be compromised in its performance.
I would be careful when going down this route, and would need to be completely assured of the success that can be produced with a rebuild.

I put this in the wrong thread earlier.

I should correct something. When i commented earlier i meant new cantilevered not retip. SoundSmith calls themselves retippers but mostly as far as i know they prefer to recantilever. All three that i had done were recantilevered. I don't actually hear much about just retipping. Correct me if this is wrong.
@chakster