Vinyl/TT Gurus Chime in! Cartridge Decision: Rework My old Sumiko or get a new cartridge?

I have to disagree with the esteemed (sincerely) Chakster on a couple of points; not all. First, I completely agree that there are great vintage MM’s for under $600 that may be, if not necessarily “better”, better suited to your system’s tuning and your tastes; your call. What I don’t agree with is the suggestion that all HOMC’s are inferior to all LOMC’s. I have owned at least three HOMC’s that were decidedly better than at least three LO MC’s that I have also owned. Having said that, I agree that generally speaking most HOMC’s are inferior to GOOD (!) LOMC’s. However, the Sumiko Virtuoso B is a very good cartridge and one of the few exceptions to the rule. I have owned it and the even better Virtuoso DTI and they are very very good if you like what MC’s do well (the third was a VDH HOMC).  For a retip cost of under $500 it is definitely worth hanging on to. Very important to keep in mind that while it is HO, its output is still about half that of most MM’s at around 1.8 mv. Boron cantilever/VDH1 stylus, btw. Good luck.

Great tip 😉 from Dover re the possibility of sticky bearings; definitely worth looking into.   Re the Virtuoso: if memory serves the only difference between the Virtuoso B and the Virtuoso DTI was the cantilever material.  B (boron), DTI (diamond coated titanium).  Sumiko had earlier “Talisman” models (Talisman S, Talisman Alchemist)  that were entirely different cartridges and which were indeed mediocre as Harold points out.  Harold, coincidentally, I pm’ed you yesterday re an unrelated subject.  If you have a moment, I would appreciate your thoughts.  Best to all.