@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. |
Oregon, I've decided to proceed according to your (and others) recommendation and have ordered the ART9. I am looking forward to hearing how it translates in my system/room. |
Get a refund ... and save some money in the process. Consider the AT-ART9. Under $1100. from LP Tunes. Here's the Audiogon thread:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1437001122&&&/Pani-New-ART-9-up-and-running- |
Yes, I too suggest you politely demand refund and buy some other brand. Lyra, perhaps. |
Your expectations are set way too high for such an inexpensive cartridge like that! |
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. |
Thanks everyone for your input. It helped me decide to return the product and insist on a perfectly straight cantilever. FWIW, this particular cart was a replacement unit for one that was sent last week that had one channel defective. So, in less than five days, I have received two Cadenza cartridges from Ortofon that were less than ideal.
These Cadenza Blue cartridges retail for $1900. That's not chump change, not to me at least. When I received the first one, it came drop shipped from Ortofon USA and they required me to be on site to sign for it. However, when I returned the defective unit, Ortofon did not bother to notify me that they had shipped out a replacement, and further, they did not send the replacement requiring me to sign for it. So, a $1900 cartridge sat outside my door stoop for anyone to grab. That was a bit unsettling notwithstanding that I did/do appreciate their rapid turnaround of the replacement. Still, the replacement should have been sent following their normal sign-to-get-it process. I can only imagine if someone had grabbed that off my steps, and without knowing I call Ortofon several days later asking, "Where's the replacement cart?" and have them say, "Well, we already sent it." What a nightmare that would have been. But, there's more.
The original ordered cart came in a box that was sealed. Pretty much what I would have expected for a $1900 item. But the replacement did not come in a sealed box. When I spoke to the retailer about this, they indicated that some Cadenza boxes come sealed, some do not. Hmmm.
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? |
Sounds like a beat deal!! |
Have had many many Ortofon Cartridges and never had an issue with any of them. You must just be having some bad luck, I'd return it for a perfect replacement.
Ortofon have always been a straight up company I'm certain they will make it right.
Good Listening,
Peter
|
I run an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze which I purchased brand new, and its cantilever has been perfectly aligned since I received it. I would suggest returning it for a replacement, since that type of problem will not correct itself and will affect its performance. |
The cantilever should be straight coming out of the cartridge body. I would return it. |
Mistakes happen...only God is perfect. My cartridge was delivered to me that was internally wired wrong....don't ya just wonder... |
I would send it back and possibly rethink my cartridge choice. FWIW, the Clear Audio Maestro Ebony v2 that I recently purchased is dead solid perfect whether playing or not.
Regards,
Matt |
" ... 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?"
I would not consider that acceptable in a new, high-end cartridge. |
