Sumiko Blackbird Soundsmith Rebuild Level?


I have a Blackbird with a snapped off cantilever that I am going to send to Soundsmith for a rebuild.

Has anyone sent them a Blackbird and what level rebuild did you get? Level 1 ($150), Level 2 ($250) or Level 3 ($350)? I would appreciate your observations on how pleased or not you were.

Thanks in advance.
anovak
Anovak ... check some of the comments on the Andy Kim (Chong) thread I started some time back. Many folks have good things to say about Andy.
Try contacting Andy at www.phonocartridgeretipping.com.

He may be able to help you. I have used his services before, not for your specific problem though, and been very happy with his work and the pricing.
I had a Blackbird rebuilt with the SS.
With the level 3, I found the cart nicer than it already is.

In my system,(tubed) the 'bird had a very detailed upper which at times, approached too much.

With the rebuild, seemed a tad smoother in a good way. Overall, worth the price and turn around was just over a month.

6 months later was a different story

Unfortunately, disaster struck again and I'm now considering a LO MC or a SS cart.
We can install Boron with ultra-low mass nude Contact Line. That should provide near undiscernable performance from the original, except with better inner groove performance. Althought it is not on our website, we do stock a large numebr of varied cantilever materials and nude styli.

Peter Ledermann/Soundsmith