There is a shortage of craftsmanship everywhere nowadays, but no more than in the audio equipment business. It's so much easier to throw it out than fix it... But I discovered, traveling down the hall from another office in the building, Soundsmith. Our expensive turntable had been mothballed, resulting in no Alvin and the Chipmunk 45s during the Xmas season and no vinyl ever... Turns out these folks not only sell cartridges, but they diagnose, repair, refurbish and improve your equipment. Right here in Perkskill. Brought in our turntable, they evaluated the equipment, diagnosed and suggested a replacement cartridge given the other equipment and our listening patterns. Cost - $175 Turned it around in three weeks. Works like new. Highly recommended for any phono cartridge needs. They also sell and repair amps, speakers and other classic gear! read more

I had an old turntable not worth fixing. They actually found me the exact same turntable on EBay. Although I didn't have them do any work, they went above and beyond for me. read more

Peter makes the best cartridges period. I have bought several from him (hyperion, strain gauge, zephyr II and the carmen. All hit far above their cost by thousands in some cases. Craftmanship is still alive! Thank you Peter! read more

First of all, let me start by stating that I am not overwhelmingly knowledgeable on the technicality of audio reproduction, nor do I have superfluous amounts of money to go on an aural joyride with. But I do feel like the musical vibration when tuned just right creates an unparalleled connection to memory and emotion. I had the pleasure of demoing Dead Can Dance's Spiritchaser from Mobile Fidelity through a Soundsmith Zephyr mk.III connected to a VPI Prime. It took my wife and I to a different planet it was so emotive. Every instrument had it's own clear space with their own range of dynamics that accurately represented the musicians emotional offering. It was powerful, we had to have it. So we placed an order for one with Brooks Berdan in Monrovia, and then turned over our VPI Scout to be set up with our new Zephyr. Rick explained it would be about a week to receive the Zephyr and have it expertly mounted and set up. After two weeks past, Rick apologizes that he still hasn't received my Zephyr, and that Soundsmith's distributor didn't have an accurate delivery forecast. That was on a Friday night. So I Facebook message Soundsmith, and Saturday morning get a quick response that they will look into it. Sunday, Chris friendly explains what the delay is, and that he is helping me from Japan. We have some friendly banter, and I am satisfied with the response. Monday morning I get a call from Sheila Berdan (they are closed on Mondays), she just got off the phone with PETER LEDERMANN President and Chief Engineer of Soundsmith!! He was posting my Zephyr that he personally hand built for me to alleviate the hold up on delivery. I frankly am blown away, and couldn't be more gracious to Chris and Peter from Soundsmith, and Rick and Sheila from Brooks Berdan ltd. This is literally the best customer service I've ever received! Thank You from a loyal customer as long as it sounds good! read more