I use to be a dealer for both Zeta & Sumiko and know those products well.
The first thing you should check is the arm. Some Zeta's had or developed sticky bearings - try a cheap new cartridge and verify that the the cartridge is the problem.
Secondly, if the arm is ok then what you should know is that the Talisman Virtuoso B is the only high output MC I would consider - I dont believe there are any cartidges for $500-600 retail that will better it. Therefore if you can get it rebuilt for up to $800 I would go for that option.
Otherwise I would look at a MI cartridge - Soundsmith cartridges are great vaue and good sounding across the board price wise. I prefer them to say the Ortofon Blue/Black MM range.
I would not recommend vintage cartridges - you cant get replacement styli in many instances and furthermore the damping rubber is unlikely to be in as new condition on a vintage cartridge.
The first thing you should check is the arm. Some Zeta's had or developed sticky bearings - try a cheap new cartridge and verify that the the cartridge is the problem.
Secondly, if the arm is ok then what you should know is that the Talisman Virtuoso B is the only high output MC I would consider - I dont believe there are any cartidges for $500-600 retail that will better it. Therefore if you can get it rebuilt for up to $800 I would go for that option.
Otherwise I would look at a MI cartridge - Soundsmith cartridges are great vaue and good sounding across the board price wise. I prefer them to say the Ortofon Blue/Black MM range.
I would not recommend vintage cartridges - you cant get replacement styli in many instances and furthermore the damping rubber is unlikely to be in as new condition on a vintage cartridge.