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
@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?
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.