Alternatives Now that Needle Doctor is out of business

Now that Needle Doctor is out of business is there another seller who will sell a stereo cartridge and mount it in the head and ship who is as reliable as they were?

 

Audio Advisor.
Audio Advisor, Inc.
I have been purchasing from them for 30 years.

 

Does Music Direct offer that service? They sell high end gear (and cartridges), so you'd hope they would.

 

Fairly limited cartridge selection.

 

That is true. How about Music Direct ?
Phono Cartridges | Shop High End Audio Equipment - Music Direct

 

Please! Don't make me have to use LP Gear now.

 

Now you guys know why I bought ( and stashed away) EIGHT Denon DL-103r cartridges from Needle Doctor.
Sorry they went kaput.
I was afraid something like this COULD happen.
Last time there was a drought for a couple of decades, I believe.

 

Lpgear and turntableneedles

 

There are plenty of places that sell cartridges and shells. It’s not really rocket science to pair them together.

 

Yep, LPGear. Big selection, good prices. Never had an issue buying from them.

 

Either you need a long hug or an intervention. Maybe both.

Nice stash, in any case.

 

I am curious. Why do people rarely mention LPTunes ? They really are the same company as LPGear with some different choices. Many choices between the two websites are the same. LPTunes is the authorized JICO retailer for North America.

 

Elusive Disc is a pretty good online source as well.

 

I read in the Mpls. Biz Journal today, he is thinking of selling it but is in no hurry.

 

I was just about to mention elusive disc as well. I have bought there for years. They just got an updated website, too! I don't know about fixing a cart to a headshell, but I bet if you ask nicely they will do it for you. They setup my Prime Scout for me and did a nice job. I live close to them and went and picked it up. Interesting facilities.

 

2Juki @ e-bay. Excellent prices, fast shipping. Denon & Dynavector

 

Really liked going to this place since it was only 5 minutes from my daughter's house. It always felt like going back in time when I walked in the door (in a good way).
Always a fun visit and just one less cool place populated by folks who spoke the same language.

 

Yes! I have bought a few things from him over the past 20 years. I have a Fidelity Research FR64fx tonearm & found him doing a search on e-Bay back in 2000.
I never had a problem with LP Gear.
Why would you want a cart setup in a headshell? Every tonearm is different & should be set up yourself.
Gotta love when an OP starts a thread & never comes back! LOL

 

Last time someone said that to me is when I didn't shave for a couple of weeks.

 

Well, you can still go to Minneapolis for the ribs...Rudolph's is right down the street from The Electric Fetus...!

 

Yes, Electric Fetus is still nearby an survived the construction by their shop. Also Roadrunner and Mill City.
Rudolph's has not. They have been gone for awhile.

 

That's too bad, but few things last forever. I remember a summer when we did lunch at Rudy's, walked up to Fetus, then caught a bus back to our convention hotel.

Normally I would have 'like'd your post, but...now you just went and made me hungry....

 

I use LP Gear and Amazon. I had issues with LP Gear years ago. As there business has grown, there service has gotten better.

 

They're great as long as you don't have an issue. Bought from them many times... then had a problem once, and discovered why there are so many bad experiences chronicled on the net.

Never again. Customer service / satisfaction is not their priority.

 

I've bought cartridges from LP Gear, 2 juki, Amazon, Needle Doctor, Music Direct, Safe and Sound.to name a few....

.... Amazon be careful, it's possible that you got someone's return that they put right back on the shelf. I bought an AT cartridge once where the stylus was missing, and another time where it was clearly used. LP Gear as long as you don't require customer service and have a problem.... YMMV.

Most places however stand behind the product...... you have to decide how important "authorized dealer" is too if saving money on Ebay, etc.... however, AT has been known to still stand behind cartridges in gray markets cases too....