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Re-tipped Cartridges?

I have noticed that there are a fair number of what I consider to be fairly well regarded cartridges (I.e. Koetsu, Van Den Hul, Etc..) that have been re-tipped and then almost immediately gone up for sale, either here on Audiogon or on Ebay. These cartridges typically have very few hours on them (usually less than 10 hours or so), and are very reasonably priced, usually less than a used non-retipped version of the same cartridge.

I have only just gotten back into vinyl, and therefore wonder:

Are these re-tipped cartridges no longer as good as they were?

Have they changed their sound, so that while they may not be worse, they are just different?

Or have the owners just moved on to either a replacement or to their backup cartridge, and grew to like them better than the re-tipped cartridge?

At some point I am going to want to upgrade my cartridge (currently a Koetsu Black) and wonder if I am getting a bargin by getting a re-tipped cartridge or getting a second rate cartridge.

I particularly would like to hear from those who have had cartridges retipped, and have heard the sound both before as well as after the re-tipping.

Thanks for your input guys.
kurt_tank

Showing 1 response by s23chang

s23chang
617 posts
 
From my re-tipping VDH black beauty experience, they do not sound the same after re-tip due to long break-in required. The original sound is more emotional, softer highs than the re-tip. However, the re-tip sounds better with Jazz music. The sound become punchy and more exciting. Just can't enjoy the string instrument during the break-in period. The cartridge settles down after 300 hour break-in. The VDH cartridge typically last about 2000 hours ( according to manufacture specs.) but I would say the best enjoyment probably between 300 to 1000 hours.
Many folks how owns VDH probably didn't have the patience to wait it out and therefore you see them on audiogon.
I hope this helps you determine if VDH is for you or not.
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