Accuphase AC-3 Re-tip new cantilever vs new purchase?

You are absolutely right.

The re-tip w/new cantilever is $500 and these cartridges seem to be around $1500 (with shipping and tax) so...

I’m gaming out worse case scenario - I buy a used AC-3 and it needs work. $2000 spent for my ’ideal’ cartridge.

I wonder if I’ve convinced myself that this is the ideal cartridge at this price or if there are better values for the money out there considering my set up and listening.

My signal path looks like this:

VPI HW-19 that is more or less something else -

SOTA motor in a standalone motor mount

SOTA Condor and Roadrunner PSU and Tachometer

Origin Live Illustrious tonearm

VPI super platter + moded arm board and

Dynavector 20x2H MC

Icon Audio PS1 MkII phono all tube pre-amp

Hegel H390 integrated

AudioPhysic Tempo loudspeakers

I listen to Jazz, folk, ambient, Afro beat, classical..not a lot of densely produced rock or pop. Looking for soundstage, separation, and detail.

Thanks for advice on a new cartridge or suggestion to stick with the Dynavector.

The AC 3 has a Armature that is quite unique being a Hollow Rod produced from both Boron/Beryllium. 

My comparisons of Carts of the same design, but with some having undergone modification where one model has Beryllium as the armature, has shown that Beryllium is able to produce a very attractive sonic and in the comparisons, Beryllium is the one I have preferred over Boron, as a general description, the Upper Mid's are able to be perceived with a much improved clarity, at the expense of a tightening of the Bass.

As the Armature on the AC 3 is a unique selling point for the design when originally marketed, I would suggest inquiring if the Armature on the AC 3 can be maintained during the refurbishment process. 

There might be much more cost effective routes if Solid Boron become the only option to compete with the original armature on the AC 3.

You may also have experience with the AC-2...these are more widely available. How does one compare to the other?

I have become familiar with materials used to produce the AC 2, but not a Sapphire Tube armature.

I have found Ruby to be the least attractive as an armature when compared to a Cart' of same design with Beryllium as the armature.

Ruby and Sapphire are both Single Crystalline in their structure.

During a Demo's of very similar in design Cart's where different Styli were on the Cart's. The Group of attendees receiving the Demo's, found it hard to make the claim the Styli alone was the cause of the differences detected in the sonic.

It was more easily accepted that the Cart's Parts were most responsible for changes detected in the sonic, and the Armature and Damping Materials were material sensed to be items that has substantial contributing factors.      

Ruby = Sapphire.