Gee Emm Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 G'day A friend of mine is need of a retip for his Dynavector Karat 19a low output M/C (aluminium cantilever I think). He is keen to open the packed up vinyl, which has been closed for nigh on 10-15 years. He has been quoted $470+ to retip with a Microscanner Mk11 diamond, & paid $45 for the assessment "e This quote is ~twice what he expected to pay He's not sure if he even needs this suggested upgrade, rather than just retip the cartridge with an original stone :wub: Can anyone recommend a repairer, or does this quote seem reasonable? I think he may not proceed at this cost. Thanks G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidsss Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 The only place I've heard of is Tivoli HiFi but I've never had a retip done. Apparently they bought out Garrott Bros after the Garrott brothers died. DS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ophool Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Hi MrHP, am not familiar with this cartridge. I assume that your friend had the cartridge assessed as needing the stylus replaced ? Or is he just guessing ? Tivoli as David suggested are the only ones I know in Aust although perhaps he could check with Dynavector (in Sydney & online) re an exchange. Re-building MCs is usually not particularly cheap. The biggest problem I would suspect with a 15 year old cartridge would be with the suspension - these often use rubber type elements which perish or deteriorate with age and air. He might be better off with a new cartridge if that one is indeed shot. Probably worth the $45 to be certain of its condition then see what Dynavector will offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspert Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 I wrecked my Ortofon Kontrapunkt A cantilever last year and went to Tivoli for a quote. $27-9 for the repair quote/assessment and $675 for the repair and retip. :wub: No thanks. Went back to Secher and got a new one for about $500 after Ortofon Australia generous rebate for the old one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundfan Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 The only place I've heard of is Tivoli HiFi but I've never had a retip done. Apparently they bought out Garrott Bros after the Garrott brothers died.DS[/b] I had a Koetsu Red retipped a couple of years back by this mob,cost around $450. They did a great job. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gee Emm Posted September 27, 2007 Author Share Posted September 27, 2007 Thanks for the info guys. I'll pass it on. Hi David & Soundfan, I'll get him to check with Tivoli. G'day Ophool, he has already had the assessment done, buy some company in Brisbane I think. Hi Jaspert. G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herbyj Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 A number of people overseas offer cartridge repair services and retipping: Van den Hul The Cartridge Man Benz Soundsmith Garrott brothers are the only local repairer that I have heard of. They will all charge around $500.00 to do the job but ultimately it will depend on what needs to be done. I would think it wouldn't be worth spending the money on a cartridge like this as the new Dynavector 17D, which has received very good reviews, is about $1,000.00 and would have a new suspension, cantilver etc. On the Garrott Brothers service, I had a Van den Hul cartridge repaired and retipped by them a number of years ago and I was disappointed in the results.The cartridge sounded lifeless and the magic was gone when I got it back I then sent it to Van den Hul and the magic returned. Others report very good results from Garrotts just my 2 cents worth! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gee Emm Posted September 28, 2007 Author Share Posted September 28, 2007 Thanks for the info Herby. All good to know. Raises the question though, if he wants to purchase a new cartridge, where should he start looking? Remember, he (& I), stopped playing TTs & vinyl ~15 years ago. Any ideas? G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ophool Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Thanks for the info Herby. All good to know.Raises the question though, if he wants to purchase a new cartridge, where should he start looking? Remember, he (& I), stopped playing TTs & vinyl ~15 years ago. Any ideas? G[/b] Does not look like any one wants to have a go at this so I'll be the mug and you can all shout me down. 1 - see what, if anything Dynavector are offering for a trade. after that much depends on the TT, arm and expectations. In ascending order of price: Audio Technica AT 95E - MM from around $50 on ebay inc shipping - highly recommended by many for a long while. Denon DL-110/160 - HOMC from around $160 on ebay inc shipping - I like this cartridge a lot - so do many others. Denon DL-103 - MC from $175 on ebay inc shipping - classic, made since 1962, reference cartridge for recording companies - good review by Werner Ogier on tntaudio. Definitely repays mass loading. I am currently running this cartridge and love it. Other commonly recommended and value priced cartridges : Audio Technica AT 440MLX - MM from around $US85 plus shipping, from lpgear. Audio Technica AT OC 9 ML II - MC from around $US280 plus shipping, from lpgear. after that, spend what you like. Those are the best recommended/value that I am aware of. Now every one else can jump in with their favourites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gee Emm Posted September 28, 2007 Author Share Posted September 28, 2007 ... 1 - see what, if anything Dynavector are offering for a trade...[/b] G'day ophool I passed on info (greatly appreciated thanks guys). My friend then e-mailed Dynavector Systems Aust. They suggest his cartridge may be past it, have offered him a trade in deal and sent him the attached pdf Very interesting reading. G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidsss Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Well I bought a reasonable priced low output Ortofon MC - the MC15 SuperII. It has been very good but is now a superseded model. You could try the Ortofons, Speakerbits in Melbourne sell them, I'm happy with mine. DS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaky Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 The problem with re tipping Dynavector cart's is that most of them use very short [either ruby,diamond or such cantilevers]and as such Garrott's will not [can not?] retip them. Best bet is to go the whole cartridge replacement/Trade in with Dynavector OZ IMHO,at least you know you are getting something that is up to spec. http://www.dynavector.com.au/index.php?mai...15ec1696523c029 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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