Byron4
11-20-2014, 07:20 AM
I haven't had the time to post in a while due to my workload, however I just received my retipped phono cartridge and had to give props to Soundsmith and Peter Ledermann. Over 30 years ago I had a Talisman S low output moving coil (lomc) phono cartridge. I used it regularly for nine years and when it wore out I wanted to trade it in on a new one. Unfortunately Sumiko discontinued the line. I was able to find a Talisman A lomc which was almost as good so I traded it in and used that cartridge until I accidently bent the cantilever. This cartridge sat in a drawer for almost 20 years. I had encountered a company called Soundsmith and decided to take a chance. They have three levels of retipping so I went with the cheapest which was $150 plus shipping for an aluminum cantilever. I just received the cartridge back yesterday. Since this is a lomc I had to dig up a preamp with a step up so it took a while to step up. It was worth it. As I listen it seems to have the same qualities as the original. I completely agree with all the rave about both Soundsmith the company and the owner Peter Ledermann who personally rebuilds the cartridges. I called a couple of times and he answered the telephone personally to assist me. They have three levels of retipping at $150, $250, $350. I understand the other two levels are significantly better. Now my only dilemma is which cartridge to use either my Grado Platinum or my new Talisman.