1K sleeper MC cart?

@invictus005 For any expensive cartridge with an exotic cantilever and a working suspension, Soundsmith's best program is to leave the suspension and cantilever intact, and replace only the stylus with his top OCL diamond.  For around $500, that's worthwhile.  I did this with my Helikon, and it worked out well.  I'm not sure it's worth doing with an ART9 or ART7(which I own), as the street price to replace either AT is only several hundred dollars more than the SS retip.     

BTW, I'm in process of running in a Lyra Etna and comparing it to a fresh ART7.  An ART7 can't kill an Etna.  But, factoring in the 8x difference in price, the ART7 is an incredible value.  I wouldn't bother to look elsewhere at the $1K price level. 

Unlike everything else in high end audio, a cartridge is a consumable. 1000-2000 hrs. and it’s done. However, for many cartridges the suspension can outlast the diamond by several lifetimes. A Soundsmith OCL diamond is no Dodge. It’s helps justify the stretch for a more expensive cartridge by doubling its lifespan.