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Andy Kim - Needle Clinic

I wanted to put this post out there about Andy Kim of Needle Clinic, located in Bellevue, Washington. As many may know, Andy is a cartridge re-tipper. I tried to find some older posts to add my comments but couldn't find them. So I'll start another OP. I just got my Lyra Kleos back from Andy today. Here's my comments.

My Kleos sounded a little off lately, so I thought it should be checked out. I sent it to Andy Kim. It turns out all that was needed was the stylus required a cleaning and polishing. Andy reported back that the stylus only has about 10 percent wear; IOW plenty of life left.

So I remounted the Kleos today and have been playing all types of music: rock and roll, classical, and so forth. The Kleos sounds wonderful; just great. Kudos to Andy Kim.

Fyi -- some may ask why I didn't send it to Peter Ledermann at Sound-Smith. I seem to recall reading somewhere that he's been unusually busy lately -- and with good reason -- and turn around might be a bit delayed. Also, I'm not sure Peter uses replacement cantilever/stylus assemblies that match (or at least come close to) the original. Andy does.
Anyway, that is a bridge I don't have to cross today.

Bottom line: Andy turned my cartridge within a week of receipt and I am pleased.
bifwynne
tswisla
176 posts
 

I had a similar experience.  My cartridge was done and back in the mail the same day.  It sounds wonderful.

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,922 posts
 

Another alternative: Steve Leung of VAS (New York) regularly posts pics of rebuild / re-tip / adjustment work on his Facebook page. A lot of very high-end cartridges. The work looks quite good, and seems like he has very good turnaround. He also play tests to ensure no bad "surprises". If I ever want 3rd party work done he's the first one I'll contact. 

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,935 posts
 

@nicks25 some other options for you

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

I have not used this service as of yet, or any other service based within the US.

I have discussed a particular rebuild design for a Cartridge I have, but have not got the offer to meet all of my requests.

From all the correspondences shared, I have no doubt, if the Cartridge was to be forwarded as a repair task only, the returned cartridge will have surpassed my expectations.   

As a side, The Services are not limited to rebuilds, and a lot can be gained by having a service only on a Cartridge.

I have heard Cartridges prior to and post an Inspection and Cleaning Treatment, there is a very noticeable difference. For those with a Cartridge left out in an exposed to room atmosphere set up, with not too many hours of usage and owned for a few years, I will heartily recommend sending it in for a Cleaning Treatment.  As a pre inspection before making a decision, have a look at the Stylus > Bobbin Interface where the Stylus enters the Cart's body, whatever is seen will invade further, and airborne metal particles will attach to the coils and magnets.

A friend had a channel imbalance due to metal on a coil.

 

gakerty's avatar
gakerty
175 posts
 

Just received and remounted my Benz LPS, which was "rebuilt" (new boron cantilever and line contact stylus) by Andy Kim. This is the third time I’ve used his services. I sent him this LPS due to high hours (almost 1000 hrs) and an unfortunate incident where I literally stabbed myself with its cantilever. (Ever have to clean flesh off a cartridge? It was surreal.) There was less than a one week TAT from me sending it off to Andy and getting it back. To be succinct, the LPS sounds fantastic and to my memory as good as it was when new. This is the third time I’ve used Andy’s services (Benz Gullwing, twice with Benz LPS) and again I am very pleased with his fine work. TBH I don’t see myself using Soundsmith again, not because SS are inferior, just because of the long TAT.

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