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Andy Kim - Needle Clinic

I wanted to put this post out there about Andy Kim of Needle Clinic, located in Bellevue, Washington. As many may know, Andy is a cartridge re-tipper. I tried to find some older posts to add my comments but couldn't find them. So I'll start another OP. I just got my Lyra Kleos back from Andy today. Here's my comments.

My Kleos sounded a little off lately, so I thought it should be checked out. I sent it to Andy Kim. It turns out all that was needed was the stylus required a cleaning and polishing. Andy reported back that the stylus only has about 10 percent wear; IOW plenty of life left.

So I remounted the Kleos today and have been playing all types of music: rock and roll, classical, and so forth. The Kleos sounds wonderful; just great. Kudos to Andy Kim.

Fyi -- some may ask why I didn't send it to Peter Ledermann at Sound-Smith. I seem to recall reading somewhere that he's been unusually busy lately -- and with good reason -- and turn around might be a bit delayed. Also, I'm not sure Peter uses replacement cantilever/stylus assemblies that match (or at least come close to) the original. Andy does.
Anyway, that is a bridge I don't have to cross today.

Bottom line: Andy turned my cartridge within a week of receipt and I am pleased.
bifwynne

Showing 9 responses by bifwynne

bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Give it a whirl and let us know how you make out. Is your Delos broken? Retip/exchanges with Lyra are just too da*n expensive. If Andy can repair the Delos to perform at or near original spec for a fair price, that's a win-win.
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Thanks for chiming in Jonathan. You posted that "Lyra does not retip its phono cartridges - we only do rebuilds (and adjustments as mentioned in the first paragraph). If a Lyra cartridge is worn to an extensive degree and/or damaged, it will be fully rebuilt to the latest (most advanced) production specification for that particular model, or replaced with a brand-new cartridge."

Three questions. (1) Please clarify what is meant by Lyra does not retip, but will do a rebuild. That is, if as part of rebuilding a Lyra cartridge, the stylus is worn, will it be replaced? (2) Where does Lyra post the cost for a rebuild? (3) How long does it take to turn around a cartridge if (I) it requires just a simply cleaning, or (ii) a rebuild?

Thanks.

Cheers,
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
P.S. Jonathan -- I was without my Kleos for about 2 and a half weeks. Most of the time delay related to the mails. While the cartridge was offline, I used my backup cartridge. The difference between the two was quite stark. However, after my Kleos came back spit and polished, it sings. If I can keep it maintained for a reasonable cost, it's a keeper.

Btw, does it sound reasonable that the stylus showed only 10-percent wear after 1500+ hours of use? Frankly, that seems very, very light.
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Doug, does it sound reasonable that my Kleos stylus only shows about 10-percent wear after 1500+ hours of use. Frankly, I'm quite surprised. I always thought 2000 hours was pretty much the best one could usually expect.
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Hey Swampy ... , when you say toast, is that white bread toast (ala the Blues Brothers) or whole wheat toast?? :-)
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Ha ha. I remember that. Jeez ... we are old farts.
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Thanks Jcoehler. I'll keep that in mind. Problem is that once hooked on my Kleos, it's hard to go back to the Zephyr (my back-up). And to be without my Kleos for 8 weeks ....
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
@ Oakiris -- that's looks like the correct site.

@ Swampwalker -- yup, that's my recollection too. Sometimes I just can't believe so many years have gone by. I'm still so young at heart. I still love looking at pretty young ladies. Was just spinning some Manhattan Transfer doo whop music and started jitter-bugging with my lovely wife. :) :)

Well, like Nanutac, I'm looking forward to buying a 50 foot sailboat yacht and doing the West Coast in the next few years, G-d willing. The real concern is how to fit my stereo rig onto the boat. :(

Btw, "Yikes" is right. Stylus life on a $3000 cartridge gives me pause. I checked the Lyra website about rebuilding cost. The US Distributor lists the cost as $2100 -- that's a big Yikes!!
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Dreadhead ... your report is very troubling. I think it's the first negative report I've read about Andy's work.

I'm not sure what to say. It gives me some pause. Maybe I should take Jonathan Carr up on his offer to clean, inspect and adjust my Kleos to make sure it really is ok.

If I decide to send my Kleos into Jonathan (or the US distributor), I'll report back on the results.

I feel badly if I steered anyone the wrong way. I can't explain what happened to Dreadhead. It's hard for me to even visualize how the "length of the needle was so short the body now rested on the surface of the record." Of course ... I am not discounting what Dreadhead is saying.

Sorry to read news like this.
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