Is it worth repairing or re-tipping?


I have two cartridges that gave me excellent service. One is a Blue Point P-Mount I used with an adapter I scored in a turntable trade and one a JVC MC-1 low output MC cart I found in a box of old audio gear I was given. My carelessness caused me to break off the cantilever on the Blue Point and the JVC went sliding across my platter mat when I was adjusting Anti-Skate and VTA and hadn't lowered the stylus guard. I think the stylus tip was damaged and I want to know, if it can be repaired or re-tipped or is it toast. Secondly I want to know if a new cantilever can be installed on the blue point or if it is toast too. Hard and expensive lessons we all have to learn but if there's a fix and it makes sense I want to hear from those of you in the know.
loanofficer
Generally no, especially re-tip. Difficult to do a re-tip that does not damage the cantilever and mount. Also, it is not very cost effective given a shorten life of the cartridge.
It is probably not worthwile to re-tip [ re-build ] . I believe that your Blue Point would be worth $$ on a Trade -In on a NEW Blue Point . It might be worth it . Check The Needle Doctor , Music Direct or Acoustic Sounds for Info .

Also , the NEW Blue Point is a much better Cartridge than the Original .
The JVC MC-1 is kind of like a moving-coil Decca, in that it uses printed micro-coils that are mounted very close to the stylus (perhaps 1 mm away from the stylus). As a result, there is little clearance between itself and the LP, but in return, detail resolution is quite high. It is a much smoother, much more capable, all-around performer than any of the Deccas that I have heard.

Output level is rather low at 0.2mV, and coil impedance is a bit high at 30 ohms, so most phono stages will find it a real challenge to deliver the resolution and dynamics that the MC-1 is capable of.

It is an interesting performer that is well-worth repairing, IF you can find someone who is up to the task.

FWIW, the original cantilever is beryllium, and the stylus is a Shibata.

There are some specifications here:

http://cartridges-navi.com/victor.html

In contrast, the Blue Point may not be worth the effort of having it rebuilt.

kind regards, jonathan carr
The soundsmith repairs are well done and worth the money for a decent cartridge. I have had 5 redone with great resuts. But I dont know that a blue point is worth the money.