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Sound-Smith retipping

Recently broke the cantilever on my Dynavector 17D3, although still think cat did it!

Anyone else have experience retipping a 17D3? After researching a few options I ended up contacting and then sending to Sound-Smith.

Don’t understand some negative feedback I’d seen in terms of time and quality. Service was personal, fast (back in 3 weeks from sending out) and best of all sound I feel is improved especially the low end - I went with their Boron Cantilever with nude contact line and the work was done by David Moskowitz. Clearly a great deal of attention was paid taking into account the short cantilever of the original.






uthlidian
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
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. 
uthlidian OP
2 posts
 
Maybe I saw elsewhere. Regardless very happy with outcome.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
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.
lewm
13,030 posts
 
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.
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