Yes, for a period of time Porsche replaced some engines after the problem became a public disgrace. Replacing the bearing is not a panacea, because the problem is in the design itself. A few US based companies made replacements with a different design, less likely to fail. I don’t know how that worked out. Anyway high end car companies are not paragons of virtue when it comes to customer relations.
A Story about a Defective Signature Platinum
Last week I was listening to music at a healthy volume while sitting at my computer. I have an auto lifter (Little Fwend) and after the arm lifted I noticed a static noise with occasional popping coming out of the left channel about 40 dB down. At first I thought it was a bad tube but it disappeared when I turned the volume down. It is in front of the Preamp. None of the other sources had the noise. Swapping tonearm cables did not seem to change the sound but then I noticed that the sound was also in the right channel just farther down. Disconnecting the tonearm stopped the noise. I change over to an MC Diamond, no noise. Same with the Atlas, no noise. Swapped back to the MSL, noise is back.
The cartridge is exactly one year old but it rotates with two other cartridges and might have 75 hours on it. I called the dealer who told me to contact MoFi distribution, the US agent for MSL. Turns out the cartridge only has a 90 day warranty and I was told I would have to send it in for a rebuild for $6000! Can't they just fix the problem for maybe $500, No. Can't I just send it in for evaluation? The stylus and cantilever are brand new. No, a rebuild is the only option and you have to do that through the dealer, click! Most very expensive cartridges have a 2 year warranty on them not to mention that most companies would cover such a defect even off warranty as in the absence of physical damage it is obviously a manufacturing defect, a bad solder joint or maybe just two wires rubbing together. This is very disappointing and as far as customer service goes Home Depot is better than MoFi, Sears is better than MoFi! MoFI is right up there with Anthem Blue Cross! The service rep could have offered to look into it. Maybe communicate with MSL and get their opinion. I am sure if MSL knew about it they would gladly fix it and actually be embarrassed. The Japanese are like that. There is no way I can find to get directly in touch with MSL.
$6000 is not an option. I am not going to throw good money after bad. I am also not going to off a defective cartridge on someone else. I am going to take the cartridge apart and reflow the solder joints and make sure the wires are separated. If that doesn't fix it, it goes in the trash.
Mistakes and defects happen, it is what you do about them that counts. MoFi failed dismally in this regard. MSL makes a fine cartridge but I would only get another one if they changed agents and increased their warranty. Obviously, I will avoid buying any other MoFi products myself and warn others about their customer service. I have no further use for the dealer who did nothing to help. I have had superb service from Musical Surroundings, Soundsmith, B+H Photo and the Cable Company. All handled issues with ease. Has anyone else had trouble with MoFi? What companies have provided you with excellent service when the sh-t hit the fan?
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It would be nice if the warranty was longer than 90 days. Especially for the subtle defect that @mijostyn detected. This is a defect in the cartridge coils, not something that the owner did to the cartridge. Should be a lifetime warranty for certain functional aspects that exclude stylus and suspension wear and tear. |
@karl desch, VAS works quick, as the Cart' arrives at his premises today. Are you in direct communication with VAS on this matter. as there seems to be a knowledge of the cause of the fault addressed in your post. The findings of VAS are welcomed to be shared, speculation on such a sensitive matter, is not really appropriate. The only two things that are seeming accurate at present are $11K and 3 Months Warranty, even the usage of 75 hours might not be on the money. A Post has already been pulled for an unknown reason, maybe the content was a little too much, I missed the chance to read it properly. Even though the opening suggested I needed $11K to have a similar experience to the OP, which I am struggling with as being a correct assumption from the OP. The Umami Blue, is a Cart' that is growing in user support, and certainly has created the idea in my thoughts, that it will sit in well with a Ortofon Model, I am attracted to, especially as the Blue is approx' 2/3's cheaper.
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Very very recently, I visited one of my favourite 'dirty little secret' sites. By that, I mean 'dirty little secrets' found under the hood of Cart's. The witnessing how fragile a Cart' is and how it is doomed from day one, is a great leveller and certainly lifts the lid on any false ideas touted that a Cart' is invincible and going to do wonders. A Cart's is a tool that has no defense against the ambient environment or the guardian looking after it. In my most recent observations under the hood of Cart's, I was to learn how light alone is a accelerant to deterioration of a Cart' (Dampers disintegrating on one side where light has been able to penetrate and the remaining material appearing quite grainy in make up), what I assume is a moisture damage has been seen to be extremely detrimental (Verdigris Coated Coils), coils over time seemingly implode if the ambient condition are the catalyst (Coils seeming fracture and fall away). If one wants a Cart' to deliver in a Certain way, the materials selected have to be able to deliver the required function. The selection of materials are not with too much consideration for how they will perform in the field after five years of being exposed to the Non- Manufacture and Packaging Environment, the selection of materials are in my presumption, selected to be able to survive a Warranty period and a usage life of approx' 1000 hours at a time line determined by the manufacturer, not by the end user. I'm sure the Manufacturer is aware that certain end users will extend their attaining 1000 hours beyond the timeline the design has allowed for. I also feel confident the manufacturer has chose robust materials that will offer a extended service, where the assembly of parts remain near optimised for a extended period. The idea any part used for the assembly of a Cart' should be a part with a lifetime warranty is pure fantasy. It is no different to asking for a lifetime Warranty on a Porsche Set of Boots or any Car Tyre, good luck with that one. If one is into their owned Vinyl LP as a Source Material that is to be replayed. There is a vital ancillary required to be used to create the replay of the Source Material, which is by its very make up, a Sacrificial Ancillary, that is the realisation that is regularly overlooked. Too often all that is seen is the fantastical world of what such an ancillary is going to bring and who breathed on it at the time of its creation. The Power of Marketing is very good at concealing the realities, especially the realities that really are worthwhile considering. |
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