New cartridge vs. Re-tipped


What I am trying to ask is, what are the down sides, if any, to buying a re-tipped cartridge as opposed to a brand new cartridge. Do you get less hours with a re-tipped, a completely different sound? Is tracking ability compromised?

Thanks

audiorusty

I have used a few retippers over the years. My choice is for those who will do a diamond only replacement. The companies I use are The Expert Stylus Company and AllClear Audio. AllClear has done excellent work for me. Expert has a stellar reputation and long history of doing top rate work. Folks say Joseph Long is a great resource also. 

+1 for Andy Kim. He retipped a ZuAudio and a Cardas Myrtle Heart for me. He said they would sound better after he retipped them; I thought puffery. He was dead on accurate.  Wonderful work at reasonable prices, and very fast turnaround time.  

I’m still trying to decide what to do with my broken Koetsu Rosewood but sending it to Joseph Long (groovetickler) is at the top of my list. A couple people have said to me elsewhere not to use VAS. When I inquired with VAS he said I had to send it there first just to get an estimate. That’s a non-starter for me, and seems like a questionable tactic to me for getting new business. I'm in no rush to deal with it.

@dwette - I have dealt with VAS and I always found him very honest. He told me my Transfiguration cart had a fair amount of life left in it and his prices have always been reasonable with fast turnaround. I have never seen a remotely negative post about him here either. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to see the cart before an estimate because a lot could be wrong that you may not know about. Of course, if you’re getting a bad vibe, deal with someone else. Soundsmith is great, but I had a very long turnaround with them.