Stylus Retipping Service (phono cartridge) - specialist from Russia, Moscow

As you mentioned Wharfedale I thought maybe that explained your affinity for diamond ; ) CTO! What was your speciality in college? Mine was actually geochemistry but my job involves a more general/comprehensive scientific approach.

So you've now made me realize that I have even more beryllium in my possession. A few years ago I received a Shure V15-VMR IV with a table I bought through a friend. (I haven't used it much but I do recall drums sounding simply wondeful). So the tally is now an AT-160ml, AT-33ml-occ, Yamaha MC-1s (2) & MC-100 and the Shure, all functional...life is good! I do wonder though how the gold coating on the 160ml and 33ml-occ actually influences the sound. Is this done to boost tensile strength or simply to minimize oxidation?

As I understand it there are several different crystalline structures for boron and no doubt many methods for harvesting/creating them. Whatever they use it's wonderful stuff and I hope Audio Technica comes to their senses and re-adopts it in a larger proportion. They certainly could have temporarily suspended production of the 150mlx (pending boron rod/tube availability) rather than cancel it altogether.

While audiophilia can no doubt be a subjective matter, I applaud you for bringing some science into the discussion.

 

I am going to work on a group buy from Namiki for diamond cantilever/MiroRidge stylus. I know who is the USA representative, so I will contact him. I want 10 of them, more than I will ever use. But I think I could sell the extras later when I realize I have too many.

We have to get up to 100. Is there anyone that could image buying a "lifetime supply" for themselves? Of course, I have no idea about price yet.

Roman, will you buy a few to keep in stock for your customers? I will ask Andy Kim, too. And I will ask Tom Vu, of Triangle Art. Maybe he would like to make a few "Limited Edition" cartridges for his well-healed customers.

 

Done. I have asked the question. I know he travels a lot, so he may not answer for a few days or even weeks. I have worked with him before. He is reliable and honest, and the exclusive rep for Namiki in the USA. I only asked about Diamond cantilever and MicroRidge stylus.

 

Warren, it would be nice to get some quantity! Depends on cost, but maybe I can afford about 5-10pcs. Price will be the decisive factor. Keep us informed please, it's interesting subject!

 

My post for "Group Buy - Replacement Stylus from Namiki in Japan - diamond with MicroRidge" was removed by the moderators, because I did not include a price. Well, I don't know the price yet. So, whoever answered that post, please answer here, of write a PM to me.

 

I'd be interesting in making a purchase Warren, subject to price obviously. I'd like to have some for future needs so this would be great if you can pull it off. Thanks!

 

Same here Warren!

 

@blakep Namiki absolutely does make Boron Cantilevers w/Micro Ridge diamonds. They'll also sell as few as 30 pieces. Diamonds are a 100-piece minimum order though.

 

No problem. Just did not see any mention of it on their current website and boron cantilevers has been iffy in the past few years and seemingly much more difficult to obtain.

 

Nice work! I just bought a Koetsu Urushi retipped by Van Den Hull and am eagerly awaiting to hear how it sounds. It's great that you are another resource that puts out good work ad that (by your photo) you are young and can provide good service for years to come. I hope you never get tired of it and always have plenty of business to keep you busy.

 

Thanks a lot for your feedback and warm words!
I hope that I will not get tired of this work, but sometimes it's scared me a little bit, because of a lot of orders.
And also I've got my typical daily work that is not related to audio.
Any chances to get a pictures of VDH work? If you don't mind to post it here.

 

I don't have any accounts anywhere where I can post photos. I have one on my computer, but that isn't allowed by the programming on this forum apparently. Let me see if I can do a runaround. I just thought of something that might work.

EDIT: I loaded it to Vinyl Engine and hopefully the photo will load or show up here. Keep your fingers crossed.

Koetsu Urushi Tsugaru - Vinyl Engine

 

Beautiful...what headshell wires are you using?

 

Standard Rega wiring at the moment. I should be upfront about this-this photo is taken by the guy from whom I bought the cartridge. It won't arrive here until Tuesday. I'm also looking at buying an SME or Graham arm to replace the Rega RB303. Chances are I should have whatever I wind up with in place and playing by a week from today. If I go with the SME arm it will have Cardas wiring in it. The Graham, I'm not sure about yet.

 

Those are Jelco leads on that Koetsu in the photo.

 

Thanks! They look really similar to the leads on my Yamaha YSA-1 arm.

 

Hello Roman, Please confirm the message I last sent you:
1) use the titanium AN on one of the Denon 103D, the one that will keep the body.
2) the rest of the Denons will all have Boron AT, including the two 103D with no body.
3) the SPU will have Boron AT.
4) once you finish about half of them, please send those plus the SAEC.
5) then, send the next half on a later date (to spread the risk of loss in the mail).
-- Warren

 

Thanks! I appreciate that.

My background is pretty wide. Electronics first degree and a PhD in laser physics. Then a decade working for technology consultancies (Smith Associates, PA Technology and Scientific Generics). Then a decade in industry (Wharfedale and Oxford Instruments) an the final twenty years as an independent technology and business consultant (Technology Enterprise).

I got deeply into the acoustic materials while at Wharfedale

Craig

PS late reply - I was away over the weekend.

 

Hello Warren!
I've been busy a little bit, sorry.
I have received your message, I will send you reply today/tomorrow.
Everything is fine!

 

Roman, please do not open or use the AT 150MLX items that i sent to you. I am going to buy Namiki Boron/MR, and send them to you.

 

To anyone who wants to enter in the Group Buy from Namiki in Japan, I want to give up on Diamond/MicroRidge, because price is $660 each, and minimum quantity buy is 100. I don't think I can come up with $66,000.

I will be very happy with Boron/MicroRidge, with a price of $95 each and minimum buy of 30. Please see my thread in Forums/Marketplace/Third Party Sales and answer there, or send me a Private Message. As soon as I get enough orders for 30, I will contact each of you, ask for payment directly to me, and make the order. If I come a little short from 30, I will buy the extra.

If you send Roman your broken cartridge, plus one of these Namiki, and just pay Roman his fee: it will come back BETTER than it was new.

I say better because (1) Boron/MicroRidge is very highly desired and known to be better than all but Diamond. And, (2) your coils will be 100% broken-in, better than new.

 

Wow - the diamond cantilevers are expensive, with a big ex.

What is the diameter and length of the Nakimi boron cantilevers? Any details? I can find nothing on their site for boron cantilevers

 

Later this week, Namiki will provide me with complete specifications for the Boron/MicroRidge cantilever/stylus assembly. They will also give me an answer for my request to be flexible about the minimum quantity buy, for my first order.

 

Seems like a very reasonable price for the boron/microridge! I'll respond to the specific thread in the marketplace.

 

I'm in for a few, PM'd you Warren