I can't comment on exactly what you're considering, but a while back I bought a turntable that had a Zu Denon DL-103 on it. The cartridge sounded like crap and I took it off and stuck it in the closet for a few months.
I decided to send it to Andy to see what he could do with it. He cleaned a bunch of gunk out of the Zu body and put a new cantilever and stylus on it and it is now one of my best carts. He's retipped a couple of other cartridges for me and does fine work and he's provided a very fast turnaround.
I have used Soundsmith once. I thought they did great work, but as mentioned, they are slow. No experience with VAS, but I have heard great things. I doubt you're going to find anyone that has had their DL-103 done by both, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
I decided to send it to Andy to see what he could do with it. He cleaned a bunch of gunk out of the Zu body and put a new cantilever and stylus on it and it is now one of my best carts. He's retipped a couple of other cartridges for me and does fine work and he's provided a very fast turnaround.
I have used Soundsmith once. I thought they did great work, but as mentioned, they are slow. No experience with VAS, but I have heard great things. I doubt you're going to find anyone that has had their DL-103 done by both, but it doesn't hurt to ask.