Wally Tools to Offer a New Service.

Since zenith error at the cantilever ( as opposed to overall cart 'alignment' which also involves zenith ) is a product of the cantilever / stylus assembly, which as we all know comes from a small pool of manufacturers, the cart maker has to grade them. I wonder how many get tossed?

Good question. Back in the day I must have returned at least 10 new cartridges because of cantilever stylus defects. My sense is that in general things are much better now but still examining every cartridge when it comes out of the box is a good idea. I know Elusive Disc will replace any cartridge that is remotely off. One degree of SRA error is not big deal and easy to correct for but I will not tolerate any azimuth or twist, excuse me, zenith error. I have not seen any for a while. I think the Grado was the last and I did not return that one for some reason I can't recall. 

The Transfiguration in the above article should never have made it out of the factory.

mijostyn

A "new" parameter is discussed which they are calling "zenith." I have always called it "twist" ...

It’s not a new term at all. Zenith = Horizontal Tracking Angle. It's an often overlooked alignment factor and one reason I prefer mirrored alignment gauges that allow aligning the actual cantilever. 

Perhaps this will lead to cartridge manufactures providing a certification documentation of quality control  including pictures, physical and electronic measurements. 

As as an alternative, if I was buying a $5-10k plus cartridge, I would insist that it be sent to someone like WMW for an independent assessment. 

@testpilot , from the article it seems to be what they had in mind, a Wally certification process for high end cartridges. It would push the price higher but for many people this would be reassuring I suppose. I have been looking at styli for a while now and can not imagine having trouble getting a warranty replacement. When a Clearaudio cartridge lost it's stylus I just sent in a USB micrograph of a perfectly straight cantilever sans stylus and I was immediately sent a new cartridge along with a return label for the broken one. I had a new cartridge in 3 days.
A usb microscope is not that expensive and is handily the best way to set SRA. The biggest problem is making a stand that will hold the microscope in the right position to watch the action. You can not hand hold one, way too shaky. 
@cleeds, the definition I learned for zenith is the point in the sky directly over your head. I have no idea how that relates to horizontal tracking angle. Lateral tracking angle would probably be a better term but "twist"
is short and sweet even if nobody knows what I am talking about. It was the article that called the parameter "new." I was just paraphrasing. I have never seen a significantly twisted stylus bit that Transfiguration in the article is pitiful. I personally avoid cottage manufacturers and prefer sticking with the big guys even if I am missing some excellent cartridges.