What's a 30-year old Grace F9-E Ruby worth?

I have one, in use daily. Still great sound. I also have a $2K Clearaudio and the Grace gives it strong competition. A few years ago I was offered $1.5K for the Grace and a Sony X800, which it was installed in. If it had been $2K, I would have sold it.

I've used a Grace F9E as my primary cartridge since 1979. I purchased it originally as the non-ruby version, upgraded it with a ruby stylus several years later, and had it retipped/rebuilt by Soundsmith in 2010 (the $250 option Mr. Ledermann offers). To my ears, Mr. Ledermann's work made an outstanding cartridge even better, the change being particularly evident in the treble region on piano notes. I have no desire to explore other cartridges in the foreseeable future.

The $500 Lew paid for a mint-in-box Ruby, assuming it is truly in that condition, strikes me as reasonably consistent with prices I have seen these things go for. Obviously, one that is well used will be worth considerably less.

Hey Lew, enjoy!

Regards,
-- Al

Thanks, Al. You made me feel better about my moment of weakness. It's arrived here and does appear to be in condition as advertised, at least by gross inspection.

Thanks for all the replies. I don't know the wear on the stylus. My eyes can't focus that close anymore. I probably need to get a jeweler's eyepiece to check. $250 sounds reasonable. I don't have the original box but do have the paperwork. Thanks again.

About $50.00.