Phono Cartridge Purchase from Asia?

@paulgardner

I have purchased 2 carts from Kron in the last 2 years or so. Kiseki Purpleheart and a Benz Micro LPS.

The seller is honest, reputable, and ships incredibly fast. I received both of these items in two or three days maximum from his location, delivered right to my door.

There is a downside. No warranty. I broke the stylus right off one of these cartridges. (The Benz). The manufacturer denied the warranty claim. I sent it to a third path repair facility and all is good.

I think you have nothing to be concerned about with the seller other than warranty issues. I feel the risk of no warranty can be worth it. But you should be aware of it going in.

To underscore the positive, I found Kron to be reasonable in negotiations, his shipping to Chicago was as fast as domestic shipping in many cases, and his communication was great.

Another thing, the recommendation on an AudioTechnica ART9 is a great one.  I've owned that cartridge.  I'm not an expert as I haven't heard tons of cartridges over $1k. Yet from the stuff I've owned or have solid first hand experience with I can say the ART9 can play well into the four-figure cartridge market. 

Perhaps the only thing missing from the ART9 is a bit more finesse. However, it's so neutral, resolving and even handed across the spectrum that it's just a winner.  The ART9 is a deal and I could live with just that one cart forever I don't because I occasionally catch the audiophile influenza and...well, you know!

Whoops! Sorry. Poor choice of words. You folks are sticklers.

My cantilever just came off and I didn't recall ever misusing it. But, because I"m honest I contacted Benz and ask if they could inspect it to see if it was my fault or if it failed early.  The distributor told me no go as the cart was not purchased from its North American dealer. 

Hope that clears this up.

Oh and the other thing, I cannot comment on Kron's other offerings, but I do think that for awhile Benz didn't have a distribution network in North America so we had few options if you wanted to buy one. I think that's changed.