Phono cartridge service

[pmc]

I own a Spectral Audio Cartrige and would like to have it serviced. Perhaps someone can recommend a highly qualified person. Thanks.

 

[mhardy6647]

Where are you located and what sort of "service" do you need (e.g., retipping)?

 

[sergeauckland]

In the UK, I can completely recommend Expert Stylus. They have retipped three of my cartridges, an EMT, an Ortofon and an AT. Excellent service at a sensible price.
I had a terrible experience with another cartridge refurbisher who ruined my EMT, and it had to go back to the factory for them to correct the damage, which of course the refurbisher denied.

With Expert Stylus, no such problems and superb stylus profile. They supply their own Paratrace stylus which is similar to the vdh.

S

 

[LTig]

I can recommend Van den Hul, they retipped/repaired my MC ONE Special twice, but the price got so high now that I refrained from doing it a 3rd time and got me an AT33ptg/II for about half the money and couldn't be happier.

 

[mhardy6647]

Looks like the OP also asked at Audiokarma, which might be a better place to ask about something like this. Not clear what needs to be "serviced", though, there or here.

 

[JP]

Contact Joseph Long.

 

[pmc]

Where are you located and what sort of "service" do you need (e.g., retipping)?

I'm located in the Vancouver, BC, Canada area. However with such a small item I'll not hesitate to ship. The cartridge probably has only 30 hours of play; but was bought new in the 90's. I have no idea if there's any reason to service. Am repairing my Goldmund Studietto as the T5 arm stopped working so wondered if there's any benefit to service. Thank you for your interest. Peter. I've also no idea if the 'table can be fixed.

 

[manisandher]

In the UK, I can completely recommend Expert Stylus. They have retipped three of my cartridges, an EMT, an Ortofon and an AT. Excellent service at a sensible price.
I had a terrible experience with another cartridge refurbisher who ruined my EMT, and it had to go back to the factory for them to correct the damage, which of course the refurbisher denied.

With Expert Stylus, no such problems and superb stylus profile. They supply their own Paratrace stylus which is similar to the vdh.

S

Yes, Expert Stylus should be the first choice for anyone in the UK. I'm just waiting to receive my London (Decca) Reference and Benz LPS cartridges back from them, both serviced and re-tipped for very reasonable prices.

Mani.

 

[SIY]

Contact Joseph Long.

Does he do Technics?

 

[JP]

Does he do Technics?

Not for what we need. I think that's up to you and I - just (<- haha) need elastomer donuts.

EDIT - I may ask him to throw a stylus on one of my DL-1000A - it's right up there.

 

[drjjpdc]

A question or two. I have a vdH MM-1 since the mid 1980's and have never had any work done on it. If I needed re-tipping must I send it to vdH? If so I know I have to go thru one of their distributors here in the USA. Does it make a difference by using a non vdH stylus?

 

[madrac]

Try Steve Leung (VAS Audio) or Peter Ledermann (Soundsmith), both on the US East Coast.

 

[LTig]

You can send it to VdH for retipping. I did this twice via the German distributor for my MC1 Special. Your pickup would also need new rubbers.

This is quite expensive though, so instead of a third retip (expected costs € 600-700) I bought a new AT33PTG/2 with a micro line needle for €540 and it sounds just as wonderful as the VdH at €1750 new. That was in 2023.

A TOTL AT MM pickup with a micro line needle might be the better choice here as well.

 

[drjjpdc]

Thanks very much.