[mlundy57]

On April 30 I bought my first high end low output cart, a SoundSmith Zephry MIMC Starr. I also recently added a tonearm lift to protect said new cart from me being too slow at the end of the record. Everything worked fine until last night. After listening to side one of the album Boston I picked up on Record Store Day the tonearm lift functioned properly lifting the tonearm off at the end of the LP. However, instead of staying put like it normally does, the tonearm started drifting out toward the edge of the record. Turned out the antiskate adjustment had gotten bumped into the max position. This caused the outward drifting.

The problem happened when the tonearm reached the end of the lift mechanism. At this point the tonearm fell off the lift and dropped down onto the record, breaking off the diamond. Needless to say, many colorful metaphors were unleashed into the air.

Luckily there is a bright side since the cart is a SoundSmith and they rebuild their carts at a fraction of the new cost. In this case, the repair will set me back $350 plus shipping. If it had been any other manufacturer's cart I would be out $2k.

Gotta love SoundSmith both for the performance of their products and their service.

[toocool4]

mlundy57 I know how you feel, I did something similar not so long ago. I had been listening to a record while enjoying glass(s)  of wine.
When I got to the end of the record I went to lift the tonearm, I accidentally knocked the arm backwards hearing a nasty noise my heart skipped a beat. I looked at the cartridge saw know damage, I had gotten away with it. 

Flipped the record over and started to listen, the sound got distorted as it got nearer and nearer to the middle of the record. I stopped cleaned the stylus and played the record again, same result I had not gotten away with it. 
That was a £3000 Roksan Shiraz. Well a long story short I bought a new better cartridge, a £3700 EMT JSD S 75.
At the end of the day I was not too pissed as the EMT was way better than the Roksan, even though EMT makes the Shiraz for Roksan. 

P.S. I would recommend not using a tonearm lifter, just do it manually.

[Folsom]

I know the feeling. Luckily I discovered cheaper carts that are as good or better so I don't have to worry so hard now.

[Chewbacca]

Ouch! Good thing it wasn't too much to fix!

I recently taught my fiancé how to change records... about a week ago she forgot to use the arm lifter handle and lifted it by hand, accidentally dropped it while moving it into the fixed position and it slid across about half of a spinning record making one of the most dreaded scratching noises I've ever heard... I thought for sure the diamond would be gone, or cantilever totally bent. Looked at it under magnification, and was absolutely perfect. Couldn't believe it.

I know the feeling. Luckily I discovered cheaper carts that are as good or better so I don't have to worry so hard now.

Hi Folsom! What would you suggest for this? Currently I have a Rega Exact 2, which probably has only a few hundred hours left on in it. I want to get into the MC world with a step up transformer. Currently I am looking at the AT-ART9 and the Hana SL. Or possibly modding a Denon 103R. Using a modded Rega Planar 3 (2016 model)

[Dieterle Tool]

^ The Denon would probably destroy the record but go unscathed. They're built tough. 
My personal experience is the Denon would be too stiff for a Rega arm. I like you're other two choices with the Planar 3.

Mlundy57... that's decent damage control with Soundsmith.

-Dieter

[nrenter]

Other than the fact I've been thrilled with my SoundSmith Aida for the past 10 years, this is why I'm loyal to the brand. I've had it rebuilt once about 5 years ago, and if they weren't so backlogged, I'd send it back again for maintenance rebuild.

[mlundy57]

Other than the fact I've been thrilled with my SoundSmith Aida for the past 10 years, this is why I'm loyal to the brand. I've had it rebuilt once about 5 years ago, and if they weren't so backlogged, I'd send it back again for maintenance rebuild.

It was a big factor in my decision to buy the Zephyr Star even though I couldn’t listen to one. The performance is fantastic and worth the cost by itself. This rebuild program is the icing on the cake. As long as someone is willing to spend at least $400 on a cart, SoundSmith is a no brainer.

[RonP]

Mike,

Sorry to hear about the quick demise of your lush new cart. Keep your chin up! You'll be spinning LP's in style again before you know it!

Gotta love that rebuild policy!

[orthobiz]

A few years back I bought an Ortofon 2m Mono SE, the white "Beatles edition." Meticulously installed it and went to play a record but the cantilever was pointing nearly 180 degrees in the opposite direction! It has a replaceable stylus, I bought another. To this day, I don't exactly know when the mishap happened.

I feel your pain! Another word for cartridges that don't need rebuilding.

Paul

[S Clark]

... SoundSmith is a no brainer.

I've used SoundSmith and like their work, but I'd not go so far as to say "no brainer".  There are guys I like better than Peter.  Faster, cheaper, and as good, perhaps better. 

[RonP]

I've used SoundSmith and like their work, but I'd not go so far as to say "no brainer".  There are guys I like better than Peter.  Faster, cheaper, and as good, perhaps better.

please spill the beans

[Chewbacca]

I've used SoundSmith and like their work, but I'd not go so far as to say "no brainer".  There are guys I like better than Peter.  Faster, cheaper, and as good, perhaps better.

Yes, please.

[S Clark]

Member Nature Boy recommended him to me a couple of years back.  Between myself and a friend, we've had 9 different cartridges/cantilever/styli rebuilt by him.  Check out Steve Leung at VAS.  The last Soundsmith repaired cartridge I bought (from a nameless AC member) had a cantilever that was offset to one side by probably 15*.  The other cart I had rebuilt by Peter took several weeks longer than promised.  My experience is that Steve is at least as good, faster, and slightly cheaper. 
'

[sunnydaze]

No direct experience, but I've read good reports about the work of Andy Kim at The Needle Clinic:

http://www.phonocartridgeretipping.com/index.html

https://www.thebrokenrecord.net/a-closer-look-at-cartridges-with-andy-kim-of-the-needle-clinic/

[syzygy]

+1 Steve @ VAS

[Chewbacca]

Member Nature Boy recommended him to me a couple of years back.  Between myself and a friend, we've had 9 different cartridges/cantilever/styli rebuilt by him.  Check out Steve Leung at VAS.  The last Soundsmith repaired cartridge I bought (from a nameless AC member) had a cantilever that was offset to one side by probably 15*.  The other cart I had rebuilt by Peter took several weeks longer than promised.  My experience is that Steve is at least as good, faster, and slightly cheaper. 
'

Thanks! I saved the info for future reference!