New cartridge vs. Re-tipped


What I am trying to ask is, what are the down sides, if any, to buying a re-tipped cartridge as opposed to a brand new cartridge. Do you get less hours with a re-tipped, a completely different sound? Is tracking ability compromised?

Thanks

audiorusty

Showing 1 response by big_greg

Hi everyone, can somebody here please remind me of the Asian gentleman I think in Washington state that rebuilds/retips cartridges? I have an old Denon 103 that needs work.

many thanks!

Dave

You are thinking of Andy Kim, who is now in California.  I've had him retip a few carts, including a Zu Denon DL-103.  It was damaged when I bought it (came with a turntable I bought), so I don't know how much better it was than when stock, but after he worked his magic, it's very close to my Dyanvector XV-1S and van den Hul Crimson XGW Stradivarius, both of which retail for over $5K.  His turnaround is very fast also.