retipping for Grado The Reference high output cartridge

Steve at VAS is highly respected, shows lots of experience on his web site, and was very friendly when I have written and talked to him, and sensible advice when I was considering buying a MC that would need retip.

https://vasnyinc.com/

Andy at The Needle Clinic can do that for you much more quickly than Sound Smith.  I got my cartridge retipped from him and it took exactly a week from sending it to receiving it back.  I paid $200.00. 

What's the point to buy Grado cartridge if you can't service / upgrade with the manufacturer and can accept third party vendors as an alternative ? 

Then Grado with user replaceable stylus could be better for you, something like MCZ or XLZ (they are great). 

Dear @bdunne  : Very good cartridge you own, stay with and send to any of those posted re-tippers.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

I don't know why Grado only offers new purchase as an option on their most expensive cartridges.
I don't think the lesser versions that you mentioned would be in the same class as The Reference.  I've owned so many of them; the real basic ones, the gold, even the Sonata is not as good.