I bought a second hand Van Den Hul cartridge and experienced the same thing. The seller refunded my money and I sent it off to Van Den Hul for a rebuild.
I’ve snapped the cantilever off my Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood not once, but twice. I’ll never buy another cartridge where the cantilever is that exposed.
One might consider the Teo Audio MM carts.
They are built to equal or exceed the MM’s being discussed.
They also have user replaceable styluses. Styluses that can be purchased anywhere and at you leisure, and at the best price you can find.
It is the body of the cart and the motor therein that is key. It is the custom motor and body that is key.
And a money back warranty for the first time buyer of the basic unit, if you don’t like what you hear.
One of the first purchasers is using it in the interim, as they have sent their Ortofon A95 away for a Ortofon re-tip. Now that’s a low self noise cartridge if there ever was one.
The Teo Cart has to put up with that previous cartridge as the inevitable comparison. Pretty rough standard to meet, right out of the gate.
He called the Teo Cartridge, "A Triumph". (thread over at canuck audio, it’s a no guff comment from a hard core 250 transaction audio and music fanatic)
Basically it’s an all win no lose trial of the cartridge which is on on the table.
When they become more well known, the trial period offer will be withdrawn.
Thanks for putting up with the post, and reading.