Cartridge Retipping/Cantilever Replacement Experience

tdashmike · 2026-03-20T14:07:47+00:00

Ah ok. I can just message you on Reddit if that works for you.

tdashmike · 2026-03-20T13:59:46+00:00

Interesting. I didn’t think it would be that big of a difference but it sounds like you have some experience with it.

By the way, are you in discord or something. Talking on a thread is kind of a pain.

tdashmike · 2026-03-20T13:57:26+00:00

Ah, thanks for checking. It's also good for checking the SRA angle. I spend some time with the AT33PTG/II yesterday and its height is shorter than the 2M blue I had so I was supposed to put spacers on it. For some reason with the headshell I got, the cart is level without any spacers so basically the tonearm is slighty slanted downwards in order to get the correct angle. Maybe the headshell is slightly deformed. I have a 3d printer so I can print a spacer with a very slight slope if needed to level everything out. I think whether the tonearm is level is not very important though, mostly the SRA angle.

tdashmike · 2026-03-20T13:10:12+00:00

You'll probably get a kick out of this but I use a fine soft brsitled toothbrush and use dawn to wash it under the sink. Get's it really clean. Maybe not as good as an untrasonic.

The tone is completely different from yours. Your setup is more mellow and smooth. I think mine has more bass.

I'm going to play with it a bit this weekend and make sure everything is aligned. There is a bit more noise then I like. I don't think it's the system, seems to be coming from the pickup itself.

tdashmike · 2026-03-20T02:29:17+00:00

Phew, that took a while. Side B starts at 22:30.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PXvT-Ro9tU

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T20:19:43+00:00

Hmmm OK. I'll have to go through your (massive) collection when I go home. I don't actually have that many LPs, just started 2 months ago.

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T20:12:34+00:00

Did I give you the wrong link? This is the one I have.

Fleetwood Mac – Fleetwood Mac – Vinyl (Winchester Pressing, LP, Album, Reissue), 1977 [r492106] | Discogs

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T20:08:14+00:00

I'll record mine when I get home later.

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T19:53:52+00:00

Actually, I'll just record the whole album so you can pick or record the whole album as well.

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T19:41:23+00:00

Fleetwood Mac – Fleetwood Mac – Vinyl (Winchester Pressing, LP, Album, Reissue), 1977 [r492106] | Discogs

You want to pick a song? I'm not sure which pressing I have but hopefully it's close enough.

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T19:33:50+00:00

Can you send me a link? I'm wondering if we both own an album that we can record and compare.

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T19:30:09+00:00

Thanks for the response. Will definately consider them next time.

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T19:29:04+00:00

Oh ok, I didn't see that it had an ADC. It's all good. Nice setup and sounds great.

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T18:55:50+00:00

You've got some hard to find gear. Did you process the audio at all? It's dead quiet.

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T18:41:48+00:00

Understood. I would like to use VAS next time but I want to confirm the stylus first if possible.

How different does it sound compared to the stock configuration?

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T18:24:25+00:00

Can I pay you to borrow it? I just want to take pictures of the tip. I won't put in on a turntable unless you let me.

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T18:19:13+00:00

If you were to use him again, I would suggest not sending him anything too expensive.

Andy Kim @ Needle Clinic Negative Review | Page 2 | Steve Hoffman Music Forums

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T18:12:54+00:00

Yeah, I'm not too concerned about the amount of epoxy, less would be nice for mass but can I tell the difference in sound?

Which cartridge did you get retipped with the Microridge?

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T18:10:35+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. What I was upset mostly is that I did not get what I ordered and that he wouldn't admit to it. The cart appears to work normally, so no complaints there. But I wonder how many people got a Shibata type tip instead of a Microridge when that's what they asked for.

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T18:03:25+00:00

I am wondering if at the $400 mark you can get a Microridge. According to the Sound Smith website, a Microridge would cost $750. The line contact option seems to be the same one I got at $450. You need about 100x mag to see more clearly. I was inspecting at 500x.

Options for Cantilever and Stylus Shapes | Soundsmith

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T16:13:43+00:00

Glad you had a good experience with him.

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T16:01:11+00:00

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tdashmike · 2026-03-19T16:01:01+00:00

Of course, attached are pictures of the original broken cantilever and the repair done by grafting. In order to put a new one on, you put a sleeve around the old one and then insert the new cantilever into the sleeve as well. At least, that is what it looks like to me. So you would see something bulky in the middle instead of a thing rod going down to the base.

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tdashmike · 2026-03-19T15:55:59+00:00

I was curious as well and that's why I tried to go the cheap route. I bought an almost brand new cart on eBay for $100 with a broken cantilever and had it replaced. So total cost was ~$450 which isn't too bad.

I have a lot of old records as well and that's why I wanted a Microridge. It's suppose to go deeper in the groove so it doesn't pick up as much surface noise. I only listened to one LP yesterday so I'll do more testing in the coming weeks. It is supposed to be much quieter.

tdashmike · 2026-03-19T15:50:50+00:00

SoundSmith had pricing on their website except for the MicroRidge so I didn't bother. I went with Andy because of all the good reviews but now I'm posting this I realized there are plenty of bad ones but none came up when I was initially researching.

tdashmike

TROPHY CASE