I am 100% in accord with Mosin. If you purchase lots/dozens of vintage carts, you can expect some to disappoint, either with cantilever or suspension. On the other hand, you can find some great carts for not huge money, and those which are 'damaged' in some way can be repaired.
I just recently picked up a Sony XL-88 for which I have high hopes. My other example of that cart is a real treat - one of the nicest combinations of delicacy and richness around. Those haven't been made for more than 25 years. I have purchased several XL-55Pros of a similar age and have had pretty good luck, only happening on 2 'baddies' among several. Likewise with older MMs - only one 'bad' F-8 (cantilever bent). I have purchased a Koetsu Rosewood Signature which was really nice, and a Victor L1000 which has been a pleasant surprise.
If you purchase recently-made (last several/ten years) high-end carts from people who take care of them, the biggest worry is how they are packed/shipped.
I was recently wondering whether it doesn't make sense to weigh carts down slightly inside the packaging just to make sure that the padding around the cart acts better as a dampener. Carts are so light they could bounced around easily.
I just recently picked up a Sony XL-88 for which I have high hopes. My other example of that cart is a real treat - one of the nicest combinations of delicacy and richness around. Those haven't been made for more than 25 years. I have purchased several XL-55Pros of a similar age and have had pretty good luck, only happening on 2 'baddies' among several. Likewise with older MMs - only one 'bad' F-8 (cantilever bent). I have purchased a Koetsu Rosewood Signature which was really nice, and a Victor L1000 which has been a pleasant surprise.
If you purchase recently-made (last several/ten years) high-end carts from people who take care of them, the biggest worry is how they are packed/shipped.
I was recently wondering whether it doesn't make sense to weigh carts down slightly inside the packaging just to make sure that the padding around the cart acts better as a dampener. Carts are so light they could bounced around easily.