Tír Na HiFi

Right here's a poser for ye vinyl heads.

I recently picked up a new turntable, and the cartridge on it is an old Adcom HOMC cart, from the 80s. As is typical, the cantilever is thrashed, and one coil is open. These carts had a good rep in the day, and this particular one had been partially built at least by JA Van Den Hul.

One coil is open circuit, in other words, the tiny wire on one side is broken. VDH will repair it, with a cost for the coil of around 250, and a new boron cantilever and his stylus for around 200 or so. So probably a total cost of around 500 for what would then be a brand new HOMC. There are many competitors in that range. VDH in his email back to me very nicely "wishes me the wisdom to know what to do"!!!

So I turn to you all - what would you do?

Fran

FYI - I have no need for a HOMC, or a spare cart! But that never stopped anyone ever!

No advice, but mucho LOL at the email!

500 quid........ is a fair bit of money I suppose.

However I think it really comes down to "is the cart going to be used"? Either by you or somebody else?

If it's not going to be used, just put in a drawer etc, then IMO there's no point.

On the other hand if your going to get it into service, perhaps moving on a spare TT and selling it as a working package then you might be able to get some money back for it.

It's kind of similar to other decisions, like restoring a classic car / old piece of furniture, in which you don't recover your real costs fully (ie. time & spares / materials etc) but you enjoy the work and it keeps you busy.

There's a few ADCOM carts on extortion bay atm, not sure if they are in the same league as the HOMC so you could recover some costs.

You will end up with a cart, essentially new, that will give any €1000+ cart a run for the money. As a "spare" you'll be doing very well and if you feel it best to move it on after a while you'll get your money back quickly.

You have much to consider Grasshopper

Gerry D wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 2:00 pm You have much to consider Grasshopper

The Van Den Hul Grasshopper? A bit more expensive!

The Van Den Hul Grasshopper? A bit more expensive!

I knew someone would get it. 🎶

Over the years I have had items repaired and repaired some myself with the help of members here on occasion.

Funny, the one item I have never considered getting repaired is a cartridge. I know there are people who repair them and have good reputations for doing so, but in my head I would prefer to buy new at that price.

Cyndale wrote: ↑Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:12 pm Funny, the one item I have never considered getting repaired is a cartridge. I know there are people who repair them and have good reputations for doing so, but in my head I would prefer to buy new at that price.

In this case it's a retip and repair by the same man who designed the stylus 30+ years ago. Van Den Hul's entry level cart is about €1200 and good value at that. You are essentially getting a new very good "new" cart for €500.

You could try this instead Fran :-) : https://www.adverts.ie/home-audio/mc-ca ... b/23102971
I have no affiliation with the seller. I was looking at it myself, but the general consensus is that it would not be an ideal match for my Oracle 345 (SME 309). Finally got around to contacting Soundsmith, so my Titanium is off shortly to get a new diamond instead. The Titanium may not be ideal for the 345 either so it may come up for sale as soon as it returns. I hope all of ye have been keeping well this past year. Best wishes, Dave.