Lyra Titan: Stylus broken during shipping

Way back when, I bought a Lyra Clavis as a dealer demo. When I picked up the package, there was something rolling around in the box. I called the dealer and rolled the box so he could hear what I was before it was opened. The stylus gaurd had come loose in shipping and removed the cantilever from the cartridge. The dealer provided another cartridge to me at no cost. BTW, the cantilever wasn't anywhere to be found.

In your case, if the stylus gaurd was in place, I don't see how the cantilever could be missing.

Last month, I bought a used VPI Classic 1 from a NY dealer (my location is oversea). From what they advised, the tt was in very good/near mint condition with just few scratches at the base.

Once the FedEx package arrived to my place, I opened the box and checked for the condition, below were what I found;

1. No scratches anywhere at the base...BUT...
2. The aluminum base had severe scratches (looked like it used to fall to the floor)
3. The cup of JMW10.5i tonearm also had medium scratches
4. The Periphery Clamp had medium scratches all around

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What to say? I told the seller about that, they just told me these were normal condition but not damage to the sound !!??? They also said my Classic 1 was the Demo from Sound of Singers

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I stopped and packed my components for almost 10 years. Just now that I thought to get all back into live. I thought a new tt would be nice for my system's 2nd life. Then new welcome-back-tragedy took place.

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For case like mine, I paid FedEx shipping for USD300. Paid Import Duty for USd350. I just don't want to send tt back as the NY dealer dod not show any intention to my correspondents.

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They are the one with slogan "The World's Busiest High-End Audio Store"

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Sad now and think I shouldn't get myself into such thing by deciding to come back to Audio hobby

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Btw, my vintage cheap components consists of Ayre V3, Audible Illusion M3, VPI HW 19JR w/ Sumiko BPS (this tt is intended for low quality LPs), and the new damage VIP Classic 1 w/SDS & Sumiko EVO III will be for my audiophile LPs

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I wish my location is in the US

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End story... I wish you all a Merry X'Mas and Happy New Year. I have secretly follow to all your threads for a long time and that is one of my reason to get back restoring my old system,

Oh btw... They also packed my tt in a wrong serial box, the platter box was also mis-matched with the tt and tt's box.

Now just make up my mind and swear just strict to only Brand New In Box only.

Ps. I have still not opened the SDS box... Now just too boring to see the SDS (I bought new for this from them) will turn out to be one another tragedy like all its cousin.

Audiophile society consist of so many good and kind folks...maybe this is just the only black-sheep out there in the market.

Sounds like an MSS HiFi story. They have had quite a bit of bad press on the internet lately. I'm sure they are telling the truth - they probably bought much of Andy Singer's floor product before he closed down for a while. They tend to buy out demo and unsold product that dealer's can't move.

I was lucky with the transaction I had with them several years ago. It was a very good one. Not so sure I would do it again with them now though.

It's the responsibility of the seller and carrier to get the package to you in usable condition.

Don't settle for anything less.

IMO