Dynavector Karat 17D3: retip for $500 or get something new?

I just wanted to chime in, as a commenter in one of the relevant discussions linked to above. I had my Dynavector 17D (original) re-tipped by Joseph Long, and it sounds incredible.

If you're near KY and would like to see the craftsmanship in person and hear how it sounds on my setup, you are welcome to stop by. There's no amount of convincing I can do in a forum that would stand up to the impressive music it creates in my system. 

Joseph is on eBay as "cartridge_retipping-5". If he can retip an original 17D, he can retip a 17D3. Feel free to message me directly if you're looking for any more info on my experience or the result. 

@chakster , np. Just wanted to make sure you knew they had expired. It's why I post up links to Google Drive, so they can be accessed months/years later. 

Ok, look at this and tell me how can you re-tip it? This is KARAT 17RS with MicroRidge stylus. It’s Diamond cantilever, try to detect any glue aroung the tip. Now post a picture of your re-tipped sample and we will see.

I can’t find an image of re-tipped Diamond, but this is a picture of re-tipped RUBY and it’s AWFUL! Huge drop of epoxy glue around the cantilever (this is a typical re-tippers job).

Look at the original Ruby and Diamond cantilevers in this manual.

Dear heyitsmedusty, It would be interesting if your re-tipper was able to replace like with like.  That is, did he install a 17mm diamond cantilever with diamond tip?  Was the tip the same shape as per the OEM stylus?  If those two requirements were met, then you have some news for the rest of us.  Can you tell us what he installed on your 17D?
If he just did a generic re-tip, and if you like it a lot, that is fine but not a revelation.  I don't think anyone claimed that a re-tip on a 17D cannot be done.  What we are saying is that aftermarket re-tippers don't have access to the OEM 17mm diamond cantilever/stylus assembly and so cannot replace like with like.  So if the new cantilever and stylus are not identical to original, then the cartridge is fundamentally changed.  It could even be better than original, for all I know, but it is definitely different from original.

@chakster , I don’t performing any re-tipping services, so I’m sorry I can’t answer your question about how.

My only experience with re-tipping Karat cartridges was through Joseph on my 17D, so you’re right I can’t guarantee that he can also do a 17D3. The original poster would have to ask him directly, or @needlestein . I would imagine its possible as I believe the stylus is mounted in the cantilever the same on both cartridges; laser-drilled hole in solid diamond cantilever, stylus shank fixed in the hole, probably with a tiny amount of glue to keep it there.

As covered in the other discussion posted above, which you were involved in, the re-tipping does use more glue than the original mounting. In theory, the tiny additional mass from the glue would have a negligible to non-existent impact on the sound, which has been verified by my ears as the cartridge sounds terrific! Your ears may hear something different, and my invitation to you from the previous thread stands, to stop by for a listen if you ever find yourself nearby.

I’ve included a link to the re-tip job done on my 17D. It’s ok if you feel the need to say negative things about it as you did on the previous thread, because your opinion does not affect the sound of the cartridge. :)

https://imgur.com/gallery/i7m3i7V