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new Cadenza Blue issue?

I bought a Cadenza Blue last week but it came from the factory with its right channel DOA. It was returned and I just received a replacement but this one has its cantilever slightly misaligned, that is when one looks at it from the front, it veers a few degrees to the right. Is this considered normal? Will it correct itself either permanently or temporarily (on a record-by-record basis) when the tone arm weight is put on it? I have had several other carts (one from Ortofon and others from Dynavector, AT, and Denon) and all of them had cantilevers that were perfectly aligned out of the box. Those carts cost $1250 and less. So I assumed that a $2k cart would also be very well aligned. This is my first "expensive" cart purchase so I just don't know if I am making a big deal out of nothing or not. Any comments from others will be very much appreciated. I have to decide if I should return this and go a different direction.
snovosel

Showing 1 response by paraneer

paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
Ok, I am new to the $1250+ cartridge scene. Are my expectations too high? Do others here who have purchased carts at this price+ find that other manufacturers also have QC issues and/or inconsistent shipping and packaging policies?
Your expectations are not high. I don't care if the cartridge was $250, $1250 or in your case, $1900. If you buy a new item, you have every right to expect it to be NEW, properly sealed, in perfect working order and especially with a straight cantilever. Anything less IMO is not new and someone is passing you a used, demo or open box item. I would return this second cartridge immediately.

I am a little confused though. Did you buy these two defective cartridges direct from Ortofon or from a dealer. You mention Ortofon USA and later you say a retailer. In any event, I would demand a full refund and not buy a third one from them. They may have a bad batch. Two grand is too much money to risk for a third time.
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