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Can't get answer from Soundsmith on retipping ques

.....so figured I would ask it here:). Would appreciate an answer from anyone, esp. from those with experience with Soundsmith. Here's the question I asked, which they've not answered (they returned my call once, leaving a message that said it was answered in the FAQs at http://www.sound-smith.com/retip/, which it's not, and then didn't return two subsequent calls):

"Suppose I have an older (say, one mfd. 15-30 years ago) MC cartridge, and I send it in for replacement of the cantilever+stylus. Even if the cartridge is undamaged, aren't there other concerns, simply because of the cartridge's age, that typically need to be addressed -- for instance, hardening of the elastomer the supports the cantilever, or oxidized coils? If so, what are those typical concerns and how do you usually address them (added cost, etc.)?"

[BTW, the cartridges in question are a Dynavector Ruby DV23R (~30 yo), and an Ortofon MC3000 MkII (~15 yo).]

Also asked them their current turn-around time for cantilever+stylus replacement -- they didn't answer that either.

Thanks!
chemist
lewm
13,266 posts
 
I may be wrong, but I think that the SS fees do include rebuilding suspension, as much as needed, and I don't see why you need an "evaluation". You know darn well your cantilever is snapped off. I believe you can choose the stylus and cantilever you want from the SS menu, agree to pay the fee for whatever combo you like, and that's that. But it will be interesting to learn about an alternative service. Please keep us posted.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Need to think 'Ron', ship it and forget it Don't get me wrong Soundsmith does great work, but be prepared to wait 10 weeks for the evaluation, then 15 weeks for the actual retip. Before you go to that effort, try to mount a new Shure 97. You will be surprised. In any event it will keep you up and running until the long time it takes to get your retip back.
chemist OP
5 posts
 
Lewm, as I said noted in my earlier post, when I spoke to Tom on the phone, he said the fees do not include a new elastomer (which I assume means suspension). Given this, I don't know the price until he gives me a cost estimate (that's what the evaluation is for) which, according to him, could be all over the map. And so yes, contrary to your assertion, I do need an evaluation because I need to know the cost before I decide to go forward. For instance, suppose he says it's going to be $750 to repair the Ruby (which is was possible, since he said even $500 for the elastomer is possible). IMO, it's not worth paying that kind of money to repair a Ruby, but w/ Soundsmith I'd be out $75 just to find that out.

I'm sure Soundsmith does superb work but, given the open-ended nature of their pricing structure combined with their eval. fee, it may not be the most logical place to send a lower-end cartridge.

I'd be happy to keep you posted about the results (I shipped the cartridges out yesterday), but the service isn't quite "new" to Audiogon, in fact it's on this site that I found out about it (just search this thread for "Andy": http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1368753730&openfrom&1&4#1
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