@snovosel ,
Funny, I bought a Cadenza Bronze here on audiogon 2 years ago -- the seller described it as 10/10, and on the phone confided that his prior Bronze unit had a defect that Ortofon replaced under warranty. The unit for sale was that very replacement unit, direct from the factory, and never mounted.
Having successfully purchased many used high-end cartridges on audiogon, I was far too trusting -- and since this was merely my backup cart -- I never took a good look for months. Turns out the cantilever is unbent but askew a couple degrees, exactly as you describe. Under close inspection it’s also clear that the cartridge is pristinely new; certainly never mounted or played, just as the seller described.
I can only surmise it came from the Ortofon factory like that. I don’t know whether the seller had looked to know it was askew. I was stupid to neglect a close inspection immediately upon receipt. I certainly wouldn’t sell such a cartridge on audiogon without making this issue VERY clear (and at a big discount)!!
But hearing of your incident makes me wonder whether Ortofon just plucks a cartridge off the line to satisfying warranty replacements, without the usual quality control for new sales. Not a good look.
Funny, I bought a Cadenza Bronze here on audiogon 2 years ago -- the seller described it as 10/10, and on the phone confided that his prior Bronze unit had a defect that Ortofon replaced under warranty. The unit for sale was that very replacement unit, direct from the factory, and never mounted.
Having successfully purchased many used high-end cartridges on audiogon, I was far too trusting -- and since this was merely my backup cart -- I never took a good look for months. Turns out the cantilever is unbent but askew a couple degrees, exactly as you describe. Under close inspection it’s also clear that the cartridge is pristinely new; certainly never mounted or played, just as the seller described.
I can only surmise it came from the Ortofon factory like that. I don’t know whether the seller had looked to know it was askew. I was stupid to neglect a close inspection immediately upon receipt. I certainly wouldn’t sell such a cartridge on audiogon without making this issue VERY clear (and at a big discount)!!
But hearing of your incident makes me wonder whether Ortofon just plucks a cartridge off the line to satisfying warranty replacements, without the usual quality control for new sales. Not a good look.