2. misc-audio
  3. 179816-20312

Re-tip Ortofon Cadenza Bronze

I got a good deal on a new Ortofon Cadenza Bronze cart., ($1500), and went for it. It sounded great! But now I’m thinking about the time when I’ll have to get it re-tipped. Ortofon wants $950. I’m not rich, especially lately, so this would be pretty painful.

I used to get my last cart re-tipped by Soundsmith, and they always did a lovely job. They’re also significantly cheaper. What I’m wondering is, whether I can, or should, send a cart like this to Soundsmith? Have any of you ever sent a “higher end” cart to Soundsmith for re-tipping? What was your experience? 

EDIT

Apparently, Soundsmith can do actual re-tipping, (as opposed to a rebuild), using the same cantilever. Surely that would be the way to go?

128x128sudont
geof3
1,129 posts
 

Send it to Ortofon, you’ll basically get a brand new Bronze for cheap (relatively speaking) Not to say another shop couldn’t do it, but it probably won’t be much cheaper.

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 

Why not ask Soundsmith? 

sudont's avatar
sudont OP
12 posts
 

Good idea, noromance. I’ve sent them an email.

johnto
1,023 posts
 

There are multiple re tipping companies who consistently get great reviews here so I don't think you'll have a problem with any of them. Good luck.

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,896 posts
 

You should also consider turnaround time for 3rd party retipping versus Ortofon’s rebuild. And I believe SS’s retip-only service is more expensive because of the care required to preserve original cantilever - so the price difference may not be as much as you think! Ortofon’s rebuild service, at ~40% MSRP for basically a new cartridge (save for some wear on the body), is an excellent deal IMO. It’s a big advantage of the upper Ortofon MC lines. And that would be my preference, personally. Certainly, that tapered aluminum cantilever is very key to the Cadenza Bronze’s warm, musical sound - so definitely keep it!

I would be wary of a re-tip on the tapered Al cantilever. The mount Ortofon does is very clean. Are you certain a 3rd party re-tip won't come back with an extra blob of glue (i.e. higher tip mass)?

Fortunately since your Bronze is near new, you shouldn’t have to worry about this for a while. Just enjoy, and maybe start a swear jar for the eventual retip/rebuild?

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