Stunning service from Expert Stylus and Cartridge Co

[Jerome W]

Hello folks,

Just a few words to give feed back on a small and very confidential but truly awesome audio company : Expert Stylus and Cartridge Company. ( ESC )
I knew them a few years ago, when I was shopping for a new TT wanting to replace my LP12.
I was interested into SME and Avid TT's and a famous UK SME dealer told me that even with the very high end SME tables, the Denon DL103 modified by ESC
was very hard to beat, no matter the price. For a cost of about 500 euros, 2 times the cost of the regular 103, their cart is indeed a fantastic cart.

At that time I went for my Clearaudio set up but a few months after, I remembered this advice about the 103 ESC and ordered one from them. I loved it a lot on my Clearaudio arm. Then came the Verdier and of course my wish was to use the 103 ESC on it so I gave it to JC Verdier to mount it on the SME arm while building my TT. When I went to pick the TT, JC Verdier showed me on the oscilloscope that the cart had a problem, but could not identify what was wrong with it. Listening to it, I identified indeed a channel unbalance with some surface noise on one channel. So I packed the cart and ordered an other one. The first faulty cart was about 2 years old.

I sent the faulty cart to ESC 2 months ago, to ask them to check it. They made all the tests. They did not find any problem with it apart that they informed me that I should not use the SME screws to mount it on the headshell, they were not a good fit for the body. I told them about my listenings and JC Verdier tests and they decided to change the diamond.

While the cart was not under warranty, they did that free of charge and sent me the cart back in express via TNT.

This kind of service nowadays is very rare. No matter the size and how famous is the company.
ESC is a small and confidential UK based company. They are true craftsmen and perform their job as dedicated masters.
A very few audio companies still have today the passion for their job looked as an art and with a great hand work and a superb customer service. They should get our praise and full gratitude.

[jdandy]

Jérôme.......This is a fine example of premium customer service from a company that genuinely cares. You letting us know about it is also good. I hope ESC benefits from their great service and your positive comments.

[John49]

Expert Stylus and Cartridge is where my Benz LP-S will go when it needs a new tip. Good to hear they looked after you, Jerome.

[antipop]

Thank you for sharing Jerome. This is indeed excellent customer service. Kudos to them

Do you know if they have a website ?

[John49]

Originally Posted by antipop

Thank you for sharing Jerome. This is indeed excellent customer service. Kudos to them Do you know if they have a website ?

No website to my knowledge, but email to info@expertstylus.co.uk, Julia Thompson, Client Liaison.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by John49

No website to my knowledge, but email to info@expertstylus.co.uk, Julia Thompson, Client Liaison.

Correct John !

[turntable]

Good Stuff Jerome

I have had my ESC ebony wood 103r for a few years now and is on my P10. It is light years better than the stk 103r.

I also have my ESC Linn Troika on my Lp12 sounding wonderful as well

cheers

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by turntable

Good Stuff Jerome I have had my ESC ebony wood 103r for a few years now and is on my P10. It is light years better than the stk 103r. I also have my ESC Linn Troika on my Lp12 sounding wonderful as well cheers

Hi Shane,

I did not know that they also modify the Troika.

How did you know ESC ? They are really "confidential".

[turntable]

Originally Posted by Jerome W

Hi Shane,

I did not know that they also modify the Troika.

How did you know ESC ? They are really "confidential".

Hi Jerome

ESC are famous for retipping the Linn Troika. No ruby cantilever with the Troika, they try to keep it similar to the original Troika. This I believe is what they originally started off doing. If you look through the Linn and Naim forums, ESC are well known.

Their work with Denon 103's came later.

[antipop]

Originally Posted by tima

Click Me

Expert Stylus and Cartridge Company
PO Box 3
Ashtead
Surrey
KT21 2QD
England
Tel +44 (0)1372 276604
Fax +44 (0) 1372 276147

I googled it and found nothing. I was looking if they had an online store

Originally Posted by John49

No website to my knowledge, but email to info@expertstylus.co.uk, Julia Thompson, Client Liaison.

Thanks John. Too bad they don't have a website that would increase their sales .