re-tipping Dynavector17D?

This is my ex 17DS under macro lens, it’s very rigid construction.
If your stylus is off then re-tipper can only glue his new tip to the cantilever, it will never be as rigid as the original construction.

Another problem is a cost of re-tip, because if the cost is equal to the cost of an original cartridge it make no sense. I think you can find 17DS (Micro Reach) for $700, and if your 17D is earlier version (not DS) then it can be much cheaper.

Much more expensive model is 17D2 mkII.

I wouldn’t re-tip any of them.

Chak, you frequently recommend the 17D2. As you know, it has been superseded by the 17D3, more than a decade ago or even two decades ago, and even the 17D3 has been discontinued and replaced by the 17DX, a current model that can actually be purchased NOS. I have a 17D3 myself, and it’s nice but so far not a world beater. (To be fair, I have to use it more; it was sitting in my friend’s collection unused for probably 10 years before I "inherited" it.) Anyway, the 17DS that you mentioned is also discontinued. Where does it fit in to the history? It seems to have been marketed in Japan-only, about the same time Dynavector was selling the 17D2 internationally, back in the 90s.

You miss the point, OP would like to pay about $400 to re-tipper just for the needle tip replacement. What else he could do with the same budget ? I have no idea which 17D model he has. 

17DS is rare version with Micro Reach stylus and I paid only $450 for NOS unit on ebay, I think it’s amazing deal. At the same price Ruby 23RS Super is also great for the money and for 400-700 they are all great cartridges!

I have later model 17d2 mkII and it’s excellent cartridge, but more expensive.  

Your 17D3 and later model are about $3000 and this is why I do not recommend them when the OP asking for re-tip (not for a new cartridge), they are too expensive and at this price we can find many other cartridges. Not everyone is ready to pay $3k for a cartridge @lewm

Thats probably because he’s reached the limit on his old Luxman TT and vintage tonearm. If he got a better turntable and tonearm he could then begin to appreciate the performance improvements offered from newer improved cartridges a bit more.

You’re very kind person. I do not belong to a group of posh people with unlimited budget for cartridges and tonearms. I appreciate best bang for the buck performance.

But i want to tell you that apart from Luxman turntables and over 7 vintage tonearms I have Ikeda IT-345 and Reed 3P "12 Cocobolo for other turntables such as Denon DP-80, Victor TT-101 and ex SP-10 mkII.

I don’t like the philosophy behind the statement that new and more expensive it better that used vintage gems. I have compared EUR 5000 tonearms like Reed to vintage $1500 tonearms like Lustre GST-801. But the secret is that i paid only EUR 1500 for my Reed, went to Lithuania for this demo sample from the manufacturer, sold my old rewired/refurbished Technics EPA-100 to cover the expenses.

Please do not tell me what it better, I prefer to trust my own ears and recommend to do the same to others. For this reason i am comparing over 7 different tonearms now and about 5 different turntables with over 30 cartridges.

If you think you can go and buy the latest model of turntable, most expensive cartridge, tonearm to reach audio nirvana I must admit his is not the only path to to go there @dover

Chak, All I am suggesting is that a newbie doesn’t get much help from the idea of finding and buying a rare vintage cartridge for his or herself (rare not only in type but also to find one in excellent condition with a good suspension). Maybe it’s better to recommend recent or current production. It’s like saying to a beggar, "I just found this wallet with $1000 in it, lying on the street back there. Why don’t you do the same?" These rare cartridge bargains that you find are after all, rare.

@lewm , do you ever look for cartridges on ebay ? I bought a few Dynavector carts from USA on ebay (NOS) for under $500, this is a normal practice for people of my age to buy everything online. Return and full refund is normal practice on ebay (if everything goes wrong). It is not some sacred ritual or a voodoo cult, or a miracle to find any Dynavector cartridges (17DS Diamond or 23RS Ruby) on ebay. The prices are very low!

KARAT 17D was made in 1981 and then Dynavector made 17D2 and 17DS in 1983-1984, also Karat Nova at the same time. As you know the Karat Nova considered the best.

My 17D2 mkII was introduced in 1988 along with 23RS mkII.

Here is the whole Dynavector story (vintage models).

I don’t know for sure what was the retail price of the 17D3 in the US, when it was current, but I think it was way less than $3000.

The latest DX retail price is about 2000 EURO, i was wrong about $3k, but still too expensive for the OP I believe :))

17DS and 23RS can be found for $400-500 in perfect working condition or even NOS for slightly higher price.

However, the topic is "re-tipping Dynavector 17D"
If it was a question then my answer is NO!

Just another (better) Dynavector model for the price of re-tipping (or very near), this is why 23RS or 17DS have been mentioned. 

  

Anyone actually read something before post on here ?
How many times ?

TRY TO READ THIS

I posted up some pictures under the microscope of the re-tip job. Superb work!

https://imgur.com/gallery/i7m3i7V

I’m sorry but it’s awful job, your cantilever is glued to the collar, and your stylus is glued. Too much glue, but this is what re-tipping is all about. You could buy just another original KARAT instead.

Let me show you the ORIGINAL here (under my macro lens).
And this is my 17d2 mkII

Thanks for the invitation! I wish I could bring a few NOS original Dynavector carts to compare, but I will have to cross the Atlantic first.