Soundsmith re-tips

[bonzo75]

Hi, anyone tried getting their carts re-tipped by Soundsmith? What were your experiences compared to the original? Thanks

[timztunz]

I have not personally but know some who have and were very pleased with the end result. The only nit I've ever seen or heard of is sometimes, depending on their volume, the wait can be somewhat lengthy. But I'm not sure I've ever encountered a dissatisfied Soundsmith customer. Not saying they don't exist, I've just never come across one. But Peter is one of the nicest people I've ever met in audio.

[user510]

He's re-tipped a couple of Denon's for me. No complaints. All went well both times. 6-week turn-around was typical at the time I had the work done.
-Steve

[JCOConnell]

just be aware that they often change out the cantilever to one of different design so you really get a different cart back

[user510]

You get a choice of cantilever types. Tubular aluminum and saphire/ruby. 3 different stylus choices along the price structure.

[VPI]

Can't speak for price or lead time but the sound is fantastic! We have had some carts re-tipped by Peter with great success

[jonathanb]

Peter rebuilt two cartridges for me and the results were superb. I highly recommend Soundsmith's cartridge rebuilding services.

[bonzo75]

Thanks Jonathan, which carts? And which cantilever and stylus did you get?

[jonathanb]

The first was a Clearaudio Accurate that got a ruby cantilever and a nude contact line stylus. The second was a Symphonic Line RG-8 (basically an OEM VdH Grasshopper III). That was rebuilt with a boron cantilever and a nude contact line stylus. It now sounds better than when I first acquired it.

[bonzo75]

Do you have experience with other Symphonic Line stuff? Their Kraft power amp is one of my favorites SS amps, probably the best amp if you wanted to drive something like Apogees, B&W, etc

[jonathanb]

No, just the cartridge.

[tom_hankins]

I've had two done. Dynavector XV-1S and Benz LPS. Both times tip only, no cantilever. To me sound was same. Turnaround time 12 weeks or less both times. Well worth the time and money!

[Stringreen]

..and such a nice guy. I called re: fuzzy sound. He advised just a thorough cleaning, and walked me through it myself.

[EdAInWestOC]

Peter has retipped cartridges for me several times. You can rest assured that the quality of the work is unquestionable. I have had retip work done by VdH and SoundSmith. The SoundSmith work was every bit as good as the work I had done by VdH. That says something.

[bonzo75]

Thanks, which carts?

[EdAInWestOC]

All of the work was done on Denon cartridges.

He replaced the stock cantilever/stylus on a DL-103R with a boron cantilever and line contact stylus. He also has done work on a DL-103D for me. He initially retipped the 103D and replaced a boron cantilever and VdH type 1 stylus with a ruby cantilever and optimized line contact stylus. Later he did work on the same 103D and replaced the cantilever and stylus with another ruby cantilever/optimized line contact stylus plus he repaired the suspension. When he performed the suspension work he asked permission to try something new on the cartridge. I'm not exactly sure what he did but the results were excellent.

Peter has retipped so many types of cartridges that you can forget your worries. If your cartridge can be retipped, Peter can do the job as well as anyone.

[Viva Hifi Scott]

I've had positive results from Peter's re-tipping several times. Plus he's a prince of a person! Be prepared for a long wait. It takes time and effort to retype or rebuild a cartridge and there's always a waiting list.