For what it's worth, the repair problem created by the sealed body type is one reason why ZYX discontinued the old original UNIverse, in favor of the UNIverse II, which has an open body allowing access to the generator. Of course, for advertising purposes, the open structure is now touted as "better", sound-wise. All UNIverse's since the UNI2 have been open body types, so far as I know. Of course, they make a new version of the UNI every few months, which allows them to raise the price in increments that audiophiles hopefully won't notice, under the heap of verbiage about why the newest one is always better. All of my cynicism aside, the original UNI is the best LOMC I have ever heard in my system. Do not equate it with any of the lesser models.
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I will not return to the ZYX, this story has ended for me. I have much better cartridges for my needs. Also i don't like refurbished cartridges, i prefer the originals. No more ZYX, it is not my price category. I wish i could find used FR-7fz, Ikeda 9 or Miyajima Kansui, but it's just for curiosity. |
Dear chakster, From Peter's story you can deduce that SoundSmith was not able to change the stylus (only) in his diamond cantilever. So you can probably get the same boron/ stylus combo for $450 as he deed by SoundSmith. Assuming of course that you need a new cantilever/stylus combo. For other repairs you need to ask Ledermann if he can do the job. The stylus only exchange is problematic because of the peculiar stylus fastening to the cantilever by ZYX. . For a new stylus the cantilever need to have a hole in which the new stylus can be glued. |
Dear chakster, My point was that those ''glued together'' plastic or acrylic bodies are not reparable. Peter's story is different because for cantilever/stylus exchange only the cover above the cantilever need to be cut. This will provide sufficient space to glue new cantilever in the so called ''joint pipe'' . For ''refurbishing'' or changing suspension the body need to be cut or drilled to get acces to the generator. The tension wire screws need to be loosened in order to get acces to coils and suspension. I don't know if retippers are willing to do such (risky) job. But Peter also confirms the risk I mentioned by such expensive cart. I would kill myself if my 15K cart was not reparable (grin). |
Had a ZYX Diamond- yes the $15K one, retipped by Soundsmith - using their Boron Cantilever and the best Stylus at a cost of $450. I listened to the cartridge in its original state and now in its retipped state and yes the sound is different - it however retains some of its sonic traits. Good Listening Peter |
@nandric do you think nakastuka-san just sent him a brand new cartridge anyway? If that was an old model like Yatra or Fuji then the generator must be different compared to the latest models. I think the better idea is to upgrade to the latest models if the price is the same or very close, but @andychris decided to keep his old model fixed somehow by Nakatsuka-San, because he's the only "official zyx". If the story is truth then i don't want to speculate on it. But we don't know who was the distributor, because you can not contact Nakatsuka-San directly, and which model it was. |
@andychris good to know, but you said the price was almost like the brand new model from the newer series, once i upgraded from Airy III to Premium 4D the difference was noticable. Which old model you decided to keep? I believe the body is the same as the Airy and surely on the factory they could replace the body, but aftermarket retippers can't do that anyway. |
I send my cartridge directely to zyx for an "official" repair and they done it because my cartridge was no more on the market and I didn't want the "ultimate" serie as I don't know them. I also had a suspension problem with another cartridge from ZYX, I send it back and they changed the suspension, so they can repair their cartridge, not only buy you a new one. About the problem of sealed bodies, the problem is not a problem when you are the manufacturer, you just have to "crack" the bodie and place a new one, I think a new bodie should cost them at least 10$ ;-) |
@andychris That's not correct, they can repair your original cartridge if it's no more available on the market, but the price will be the same as if you want a brand new cartridge from the new serie. Never heard about it, did you repaired some of your ZYX via official distributors or someone told you? My statement is based on my personal experience with ZYX USA |
I ever started a thread about ''irreparable cartridges''. However nobody was interested. Chakster ''sealed body'' is the reason why such carts are not reparable. My first was Sony XL 88D which not only was ''sealed plastic body'' but the body was also ''potted'' with dampening material. ''Sealed'' means ''glued together''. For any repair on the generator the body need to be cut to get access to the inside. My friend Axel was willing to do this for me but by ''cleaning'' the inside he broke the coil wire . The ''old master'' Mori san who designed the XL series stated that his XL series carts are irreparable. The ''sealed body'' by ZYX is made from acrylic. But to get access to its inside one need to cut or drill holes in the body in order to reach those screws with which tension wire is centered and connects ''movable parts'' (cantilever/stylus + coils) with the generator. According to Axel the suspension is the weak part of the ZYX cartridges. But this means that to change the suspension the retipper would need to drill or cut the body. So, also considering the price of the ZYX kinds buying them is a risky business in, say,'' the long run''. |
There is no repair of ZYX cartridges provided by the manufacturer (Nakatsuka-San in Japan) or any distributor !! ONLY exchange, even if you want the same cartridge back to work it will be a different (brand new) cartridge with different serial number that you can get officially from the distributor. BUT only if your ex cartridge was purchased officially from the distributor. ZYX cartridges has SEALED body, the manufacturer will give you a new cartridge instead of cracking up the old one for any reason. They do not re-tip the cartridges, even if you want just a new tip, you will get brand new cartridge with discount instead. |
You could do much worse than having Peter Lederman at Soundsmith repair your cartridge. His work is first rate. I’ve had customers have work done on a ZYX Universe (a re-tip), several Benz LPs, and a Dynavector XV1-s and in all cases, the work was equal to that of the original. Will the cartridge be identical to its original state? Well if it doesn’t end up as an identical twin to the original, the worst-case is that it will be a fraternal one. ... Thom @ Galibier Design |
Yes, 60% or even more, but only if you send them back broken cartridge with valid serial number. I actually sent my broken Premium 4D, but then i gave up on ZYX. I believe each distributor can do more or less to help their customers. I'm pretty sure it's very difficult to sell such expensive cartridges. |
The ''old economist'' wrote about production and distribution of wealth among (social) classes. This distribution in our case is between manufacturer, importers and dealers. If I am well informed each get about 30% .So if chakster is right that ZYX get 60% of the retail value by exchange of the old for the new cart why should they then mess with refurbishing ? |
gilles130, I got the original as present but defective. The suspension has hardend. So I posted the cart to my friend Axel who added new (boron) cantilever and his best (Shibata) stylus. However he was willing to cut the cantilever cover and drill a hole in the body to reach the involved parts. The problem by ZYX is the ''glued together'' body so the only way to get ''inside'' is to cut or/and drill the body. Axel, alas, retired while I have no idea if other retiper would be willing to do such ''drastic job''. BTW this explains chakster statement that ZYX does '(cart) exchange but not ''refurbishing''. The sound of my retiped or refurbished ZYX is excelent in contradistinction to its looks (grin). |
chakster, 'the original cantilever is way different from any other cantilever...'' This description is not correct . As I mentioned the ''stylus mounting'' is different as can be seen on your picture. My Airy 3 is retiped by Axel with an boron/ Shibata combo while an new ''rubber donut''( aka suspension) is also provided by drilling an hole at one side of the body. One of the 3 screws on the generator must be loosened in order to get the generator out for this purpose. I ever started an thread about ''irreparable carts'' and assumed as such ''sealed plastic bodies'' as by Sony XL series and ZYX. Anyway an retip with a new cantilever/stylus combo should be possible . BTW according to Axel his Shibata is beter stylus than ZYX original. |
@andychris If you will search audiogon you will find my detailed explanation how do they work with broken cartridges if you purchased them from authorized dealer (it's easy to check by serial number). 1) They can ONLY give you a NEW cartridge and you will pay at least 60% of 100% retail price. You can also upgrade to the next model. At least in the USA it workd like that and you can still contact Mehran at sorasound The cartridge must be an original, it means you can not send them back a ZYX cartridge if somebody else tried to fix it. 2) ZYX cartridge body is sealed, the original cantilever is way different from any other cantilevers on the market, check this picture of my ex Airy3. If you want to experiment with your broken cartridge you can send it to some other re-tippers, but it depends what you're gonna do (just replace the diamond or replace the whole cantilever). 3) If you want to replace the cantilever someone will have to crack the cartridge body. Then you will get a cartridge which is no longer ZYX cartridge. 4) The process via Nakatsuka-San is the best if you're ok with the price, you will get a brand new cartridge with new serial number. But i think you can source brand new cartridge somewhere else for lower price (maybe used or demo). |
andychris If I send it back to ZYX for repair, what do they do ?No one can answer this question - including Zyx - until they examine the cartridge. In the case of Zyx, they offer no service at all when a cartridge has not been purchased through proper channels, so I would imagine that would be the first thing they would ascertain before conducting a thorough inspection. |
''Refurbishing'' by the manufacturer means removing the existing generator and putting a brand new generator instead. You get a new cartridge in the existing body. ''Refurbishing'' by an retiper may include cleaning the cart from small black particles, new suspension and new stylus or cantilever/stylus combo. ZYX has unusual stylus mounting so stylus only retip is not probable. This means , say, new boron cantilever + chosen stylus shape but the price is + 500 euro. Cleaning and new suspension means added costs. My advice: write to ''Expert stylus'' in UK and post your cart to them after appointment. They will inspect your cart and inform you about their possibilities. You can then decide what you want to do. |
