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Don't you just hate it when---

something very unusual happens to you pet toy! I had the great misfortune on damaging my ZYX universe cartridge in a freak accident. I was changing out my cartridge and installing on a new tonearm i built for my apollo. I had the cartridge (stylus cover in place) on the table. I dropped my small screwdriver and in a impulse tried to catch it and arggh, knocked my universe off the table on to the floor. I was not really worried as my stylus cover was securely fastened.

Well i picked it up and notice three prongs vs the normal 4. My ground prong was gone. I found it and looked at the cartridge under my scope and it appears as it fell, it somehow hit that prong and snapped the plastic body. Now i have a screwed up cartridge. I have contacted Soundsmith and they will look to see if they can repair. I can not see any coil issue and i can see the small wire the connected to the ground. Obviously i am heartbroken. I will install a carpet around my turntable "table" in case i get stupid again.
Fortunately i have an Airy3 as a backup.
oilmanmojo

Showing 10 responses by oilmanmojo

oilmanmojo OP
472 posts
 
Doug

thanks for the note. if i can not get repaired (just the prong repaired) that may be an option if Mehran will accepted a damaged cartridge for upgrade. I have seen the reviews and it sounds like another superb cartridge from zyx.
oilmanmojo OP
472 posts
 
thanks for the responses back. I did not buy first hand and thought Sorasound would not honor a second hand purchase but that is a good suggestion. I also appreciate the alternate in case Soundsmith can not handle a repair or if Sorasound option is not feasible. I do understand that cold feeling like the out of body experience as i saw the missing prong. I dont mind spending a little money on this obsession, but when i am the fault, it does hurt a bunch. But, hopefully i can find my Mojo again if one of these options comes through. Gotta get my mojo working! thanks for the comments
oilmanmojo OP
472 posts
 
Aha! A new angle for the spouse! I like it
oilmanmojo OP
472 posts
 
Got my Mojo back! looks like an UNIverse II coming my way. After discussing with Mehran and confirming the cartridge condition, Mehran put together a great package for me and i will soon be able to hear how this new cartridge performs. Sorasound is a great asset to our audio community! Thanks to Rtilden and Dougdeacon for recommending to talk to Mehran.
oilmanmojo OP
472 posts
 
doug
thanks! i read you review when it came out and was very interested but couldnt see upgrading but now i cant wait for it to come in. My new preamp and amp with the Caldera speakers has really opened my eyes on so many fronts that i really cant imagine what the U11 will sound like. I will let you guys know
oilmanmojo OP
472 posts
 
dougdeacon/rtilden
UNI is in. Any advice on setup. I read on Arthurs review this one likes a little more VTF than my first universe and the VTA is a little wider sweetspot. How long to break in before trying tuning in the VTA? thanks in advance. I got carpet now all around my turntable stand. Aint no dropping this one!
oilmanmojo OP
472 posts
 
doug
thanks! i will let you know how it goes. DSremer, i agree that Mehran is one of those guys who really takes care of his customers. He was quick to put together an excellent and more than fair package. I will do more business with him in the future
oilmanmojo OP
472 posts
 
Dsremer
Sorry, cant say i know anyone looking for one. These are great tables but they aren't for everyone. I will however ask around some of my cohorts.
oilmanmojo OP
472 posts
 
EssentialAudio--If this person wants to get it going again, i might be able to help. I have a couple of "spare" bearing plates that might fit his service or could help him polish out the "bad" plate. Since these are match sets, you cant just replace one, but my experience, the plates are really hard to screw up. Sometimes they build up a film (early days when maplenoll used those crappy compressors which through a bunch of oil) but i have cleaned up a couple of plates. If they are scored due to metal trash, even that can be compensated for. The apollo is a fine table but all of the maplenolls require a lot of patience to set up right. However, once set up, they are outstanding.
oilmanmojo OP
472 posts
 
Understand, I will keep my ears tuned if i hear anything
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