Sound-Smith retipping

I don’t think anyone left negative feedback to SoundSmith, but it was explained million times on this forum that 17D3 has a gemstone cantilever, very short (1.7mm), tapared. This type of cantilever is Dynavector’s exclusive (not available for retippers), invented my Dynavector founder Dr. Tominary. There is a reason why a cantilever on this model is DIAMOND. Read this interview with Dr. Tominari of Dynavector Systems. 

Maybe I saw elsewhere. Regardless very happy with outcome.

If you are happy - it’s nice and you don’t have to worry about comments. As you can hear it’s not the original dynavector sound anymore, but if you like the sound it’s ok.

I’m surprised that David Moskowitz refurbished your KARAT. Normally it’s Peter Ledermann himself.


I’m more than happy with original Karat 17D2 mk2 and even older version was amazing in my system.

I have never seen a negative comment regarding the quality of work done by SS or regarding their professional integrity.  The only "negative" comments are in relation to timeliness.  Because the business is so good and so successful, they sometimes get backlogged, and this is apparently irritating to some customers.  Personally, I have no sympathy for those complaints, because Peter L is generally very forthcoming about the turnaround time, in advance.
I had SS re-tip one of my Grace Ruby cartridges with their OCL stylus on a ruby/sapphire cantilever.  The cartridge did not sound "right" when I got it back (within the estimated time interval). It was shrill and the midrange was recessed.  I thought it just needed break-in.  But after 10-20 hours, it was still pretty awful, not as good sounding as my other OEM Grace Ruby sample (original equipment is ruby cantilever with elliptical stylus).  Peter invited me to return the re-tipped sample for his inspection.  He found an error in the reconstruction, fixed it, and had it back to me within a week, with his apology and at no charge to me.  The SS re-tipped cartridge now far outshines my OEM sample.

If you really do hear an improvement, then the sound has been altered.  Any alteration can be for the better or for the worse depending on your taste and on how the change interacts with the rest of the system.  The fact that most of the reactions to SoundSmith rebuilt cartridges is favorable speaks to the general quality of their work.

True. Understand there are many components and interactions. I always found the low end a little thin with my Technodec wRB250 arm. Always felt the separation and detail was really great. 
Don’t feel I’ve lost those at all but the overall balance so I guess I’m endorsing it with the new Boron cantilever. I never expected it to sound the same and knew that going in. And I’m no way an expert, I just know what I like and was nervous about the outcome. 

I would think it is a given that when you replace a truncated diamond cantilever and stylus with a boron cantilever, even regardless of the new stylus’ shape, the sound is going to be different. But it might be great. It might even be better than the original. It just isn’t the original any longer.

Happy is not caring about "original."

Whatever, but who is David Moskowitz ? 
Peter Ledermann did not touch this cartridge. 

There was a guy several weeks back that received a seriously botched repair from them.  He said they refused to make it right but did so after he escalated to Peter.  Purportedly they refunded the repair in full be he’s SOL on the cartridge which was permanently damaged.   Thread is on diyAudio.  

chakster

... who is David Moskowitz ?
Peter Ledermann did not touch this cartridge.

Soundsmith is not a one-person shop. Not even close.

@cleeds yes, but when it comes to cartridges he is the one. I knew that other people repair audio equipment at SoundSmith. 

Anyway, I think the situation is similar when someone expect VdH personally repair carts, in reality it’s someone else in most cases. Must be qualified person, but not the master himself

chakster

... when it comes to cartridges he is the one ...

No, @chakster he is not "the one." There is a staff there that works on cartridges. I’ve been to Soundsmith - it’s a very impressive place.

I suspect PL is the QC guy, the final arbiter. He as much as told me he discovered and repaired the issue with my Ruby re-tip, when I returned it to SS.

@cleeds Art Dudley was there and made a factory tour, here is a video. 

Although Peter may perform a QC function on the work of those he employs, he also does the work himself. My Airtight Supreme was tired, cantilever somewhat canted and presumably the stylus was worn. It took Peter a while to get to it, but when he did, he called over a weekend with the cartridge on his bench, told me his findings, and then replaced only the stylus while retaining the factory cantilever after readjusting it. 

Working on cartridges is tedious, delicate work. Older guys like Ledermann and Van den Hul should be supervising. You really want young men and women with rock steady hands and razor keen eye sight doing the construction. Who ever is doing the construction is doing a wonderful job. The Soundsmith Voice I have (sitting in a box) is beautifully constructed. Some day I might even be able to tell how it sounds:-(

Dude! They Blaspheme!!! 

Thy cat didn't write your nonsensical post.

Peter was fighting a covid infection twice.

Your post should be expunged.

dude is Legend, yet the firm like all is made up of…wait for it….imperfect humans. I think i am on 3rd rebuild, always stellar service.

While the Dynavector is a formidable cartridge in stock form, including the Ruby, so happy to hear you are pleased w Soundsmith results.

Perhaps a review ?