Important Soundsmith question-

[thedelihaus]

For those who have used Soundsmith, a few questions.

I know the rates run typically $150 $250 and $350 with each expenditure giving more features and performance.

My question here is, if I have a stylus rebuilt, do they address the stylus suspension?

Or, if the stylus suspension is dried out or dry rotted, is that the death knell of the cartridge?

Do they just replace the gemstone? Or whole cantilever?


anything else I should know?

A very nice AKer has offered me a nice cartridge for nice price but the stylus assemblies are no longer available.

I'd love to run it for a bit, and rebuild it, but would love to know what I'm looking at here.

 

[beatcomber]

From their website:

We offer both retipping services only, as well as replacement of the complete cantilever/stylus assembly. Although more costly, retipping "only" is by far the preferred method of restoration for certain high end cartridges where the cantilever is intact and just the diamond has been lost or worn. These cantilevers are made of super-hard materials such as boron, silicon nitride or other composite materials and are typically found in Koetsu, Kiseki, Benz, specific models of both Clearaudio, Shelter and several others. For these, we perform "retipping only" with our Nude Contact Line styli, or our Optimized Contour Nude Contact Line design. "Retipping Only" costs range from $350 to $450.

So, in most cases they replace the whole thing, and retain the original cantilever on only the most expensive restorations.

 

[MyComa13]

There was a Denon cart on a table I bought that needed re-tipping. So I sent it in to Soundsmith and the cart came back as unrepairable because the suspension was shot. I think there might be some cases where Peter could repair the suspension, but probably not many. At any rate, if the suspension is good, he'll most likely replace the entire stylus/cantilever assembly, regardless of the upgrade level.

 

[ehoove]

I have a Sumiko Blackbird at Soundsmith right now, I'll let you know if it sounds different when it returns. I was a bit surprised when they recommended the Ruby cantilever over the stock Boron one.:scratch2:

Regards,
Jim

 

[awise1961]

I've had multiple cartridges rebuilt by Peter at Soundsmith.
All with exceptional results.
My preference with Boron cantilivers is to keep it and do the highest level retip.
However, I had one cartridge that had its Boron cantilever damaged during a previous retip by a less than competent person doing so.
Peter then had to replace the cantilever/tip as one new assembly.
As far as I know, Peter rebuilds the suspension during his process.
He also provides test results and recommended VTF.

Al. Wise

 

[jimreeves]

I have a Sumiko Blackbird at Soundsmith right now, I'll let you know if it sounds different when it returns. I was a bit surprised when they recommended the Ruby cantilever over the stock Boron one.:scratch2:

Regards,
Jim

When I had my Talisman 'S' retipped with the Soundsmith ruby cantilever/line contact, I couldn't hear a difference when compared to my Talisman 'B' (boron) line contact. Both sounded equally spectacular to me! Peter does fine work.

 

[nailer]

I've had three MMs retipped by Soundsmith. A Grace F9 with a broken cantilever and Garrott P77 with a bent cantilever. Both received a new suspension/cantilever/stylus. The third was a Reson Reca which appeared to have a collapsed suspension. I wanted to keep its boron cantilever, but upon inspection Peter determined it was not reparable so it got what I perceive as the standard MM retip - new suspension/cantilever/stylus which costs $150/250/350 depending on cantilever material and stylus choice.

I got the impression from a recent AK Soundsmith F9 thread that Peter is no longer putting new suspensions in the venerable Grace. If the suspension is not good the only option is to buy his replacement stylus assembly.

 

[Bob Clobber]

I had the mid grade retip done on my DL103. Cantilever and stylus replaced, no mention of the suspension.

It sounds great.