Rebuild or new cartridge with my zeta tonearm


Hey all,

im refurbishing my Gyrodec with Zeta tonearm. I have a Sumiko Talisman Virtuoso B . It needs a new stylus and possible rebuild from Soundsmith. My question:

is it better to rebuild the Sumiko or get a new cart? What carts would you recommend within tonearm? 
Thanks in Advance
128x128birdfan
I very much doubt it will sound better than new.
It will definitely sound different.
It will definitely not sound the same.
It could sound good.
It could sound very good.

Even though I am not a huge fan of the Denon DL103, I believe it is reported to be a very good match to the Zeta arm which is built like a brick outhouse and weighs it...lol.

So that is one option IF you wanted to try the lomc route.
I've just researched the heck out of MM, MI, MCHO, MCLO, SUT, MC pre-preamps.

Many think rebuilding is to save money, however you have many other important reasons to rebuild that Sumiko. If you do, find the best to do it, pay what you have to, continue to love it!

I found, the channel separation and tight channel balance of most cartridges, any type, only becomes greater/tighter in the darn expensive range.

Your Sumiko has both excellent separation 30db and tight balance 0.5db. That is excellent, so, I suggest you rebuild it, or, don't go down in specs if you move to a new cartridge.

As it happens, I just left my beloved Shure V15VxMR with new boron/SAS stylus from Jico, to my first MC using SUT into my equally beloved tube preamp MM phono. The MC I chose, AT33PTG/II has same 30 db separation and 0.5 balance specs as your Sumiko.
After a few weeks now, I am certain it makes a more solid center, and a wider image, it won, the Shure went upstairs for a new competition in my office.

Remember, there is no center signal/reproducer, it is a Phantom, created by EQUAL left and right. 

You also have the advantage of tracking 1.8g, my new AT wants 2.0 g; I prefer Shure's 1.25 tracking, however ...

If yours has enough volume now, then you skip the cost and extra device/cables/hum possibility of MCLO, 


My only concern on the existing Sumiko is that it may just be a tad light for the Zeta.
It was originally about $850 new, not sure if I would spend $500 to $600 on a rebuild.
It will likely not have the same boron cantilever on return.
Now it is entirely possible that the OP may really like the sound of the rebuilt cart but is an expensive gamble IMHO.