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Phono-Pre Amps & Cartridges Welcome to the Dark Side!

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  #1  
Old 10-12-2019, 02:24 AM
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MarSanz MarSanz is offline
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Default VAS Audio Clearaudio Maestro Wood Repair

After 10 years my Dynavector XX-2 was starting to sound weird, the next logical thing was to consider a retip, trade it in towards the purchase of a new one or look at other carts. Since I was very happy with the XX2, I decided to have it retipped. My dilemma was that I didn't have any LOMC carts to hold me over in the interim or any decent MM carts.

That's when I remembered the Maestro Wood which the Dyna XX2 replaced, unfortunately when doing the swap my tonearm rolled on me and sheared off the cantilever and I forgot about it until now. I heard about Steve Leung at VAS Audio, after speaking with him and reading numerous positive reviews including one from Harry Weisfeld, I decided to send the Maestro off for repair. 7 days later I received the Maestro back from Steve with a new boron cantilever, suspension and line contact stylus, it was looking pristine.

I set up the Maestro using the Mint Best Tractor, once I had the VTA, VTF, azimuth, anti-skate and the stylus dead smack aligned per Mint's specs I sat back to listen. I didn't know what to expect for a couple of reasons. When I first purchased the Maestro, my system was not tweaked as it is now and once I went with a LOMC cart there was no turning back.

From the first record to the last the Maestro was exceptional, this was not my expectation. In fact, I have not sent my XX2 off for repair yet, the Maestro has been that good. It has immediacy, impact, great micro-detail, velvety mid range, great bass and surprisingly a wider sound stage. This cart is intoxicating, I am on my 4th hour of listening tonight, I just want to keep on listening which is why we are in this game.

I am also happy with the service and quick turnaround Steve provided, top notch.

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Last edited by MarSanz; 10-12-2019 at 03:53 AM.
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  #2  
Old 10-12-2019, 04:05 AM
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Bit of a horror story, and glad it worked out as I am sure you are!
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Old 11-17-2020, 08:18 AM
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Steve at VAS does excellent work. He did the retip on my Ortofon Cadenza Black in '19 and it is my favorite cartridge (by a slight margin). Have also had a few retips by Soundsmith over the years, who also does superlative work. Can't go wrong with either.
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Last edited by Formerly YB-2; 11-17-2020 at 06:02 PM.
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Old 11-17-2020, 01:35 PM
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I've heard nothing but good things about Steve, enjoy!
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Old 12-01-2020, 06:33 PM
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I have been told Steve can turnaround quicker than Soundsmith, but both are excellent providers.
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Old 12-02-2020, 01:05 AM
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Another enthusiastic thumbs up for Steve!
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