cartridges

On the plastic bodied Grados the stylus assembly is so easy to change there's no reason to do anything else unless Grado will offer you an update. Forget re-tipping by Soundsmith. Not applicable in this case.

 

Listen Up: https://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges
Sound-smith can rebuild it if it is worth the cost. 

Grado TLZ was my first really "great" cartridge, back in the 80s.  I still have it but don't use it.  I thought there was something "special" about the cantilever and/or stylus.  Is there a modern day replacement assembly that preserves the excellent performance of an original?

Just traded in my (bought new) 1996 Reference Platinum for a new Reference Sonata. Grado offers generous trade-ins. As chakster said you can upgrade the Prestige series by simply moving up to a higher level stylus. After 28 years though I would recommend a trade in. Grado calls it a "re-tip" but it’s a replacement program.

Go online and talk to them or call. Nice people still in Brooklyn.

The difference between cheap Grado Black and for example the Joseph Grado XTZ is huge, but the styli are interchangeable, so if you don’t mind to get $450 stylus the sound will be like a top $1k cartridge. I like a lot my XTZ. The difference mainly in the stylus. But for the price of the top Grado stylus you can buy another great vintage cartridge, maybe even better.

i have the 'elliptical zce+' it was $45.00 when i bought it.

That depends on which Grado you own.

https://www.needledoctor.com/analog/turntable-parts/replacement-stylus/brand/Grado-Labs