A Story about a Defective Signature Platinum

I’ve had almost 30 MCs over 15 years at this point, and only 1 incident that wasn’t perpetrated by myself. With discipline, common sense, and a little knowledge about how these things work, it’s not really hard to keep from damaging them - unless you have physical issues like shaky hands etc.

That said, I get the abundance of caution, and 11K (or thereabouts) is a lot of chips to place in one basket. What’s really galling here is that damage from user error ALWAYS leaves obvious physical evidence. In this case, it sounds like one of those rare unfortunate scenarios that ties back to a true manufacturing defect. Not necessarily the cartridge maker, but perhaps supplier of the fine wire etc. @mijostyn is an experienced high-end analog aficionado, and I think it's safe to assume this cartridge was in good care by him. And NO ONE in the sales / distribution chain has even stepped up to say "hey, sorry - maybe we should at least take a look into this". AT A MINUMUM. Not a good look for any of the involved parties!

There seems to be some misconception about the quality control of a lot of these ’artisan’ sourced cartridges. The assumption being that each one is looked at by the maker and determined to be good. In reality, I suspect this is not the case at all; instead the QC leaves a lot to be desired. In my instance, the Lyra cantilever was installed incorrectly, leading to a return visit to the manufacturer. But we have all heard of QC problems with these expensive cartridges, albeit less so seemingly from the manufacturer’s who are larger ..like Ortofon, AT etc.,

The key here it would seem, is to make sure that your dealer is willing to stand behind you in the event of a failure and/or a manufacturing defect. If that is not to be the case, move on to another dealer who is. Doesn’t excuse MD’s protocol, but perhaps we can all learn a lesson from the OP’s folly.

@daveyf 

While I agree that a good dealer will try to ease the pain by making a deal on another cartridge. The dealer does not set the warranty and once you are dealing with a huge bureaucracy it is like talking to a brick wall. It is much easier dealing with smallish companies like Musical Surroundings. They are great. The Hana Umami Red is looking better by the minute. I have never heard one of the more expensive Clearaudio cartridges. The Da Vinci is a possibility. 

I am still lost.

Is there Cart's being sold that offer a Manufacturers Warranty that extends beyond one year?

The Cart' is clearly defined as being one year old, what makes this a special case?.

I don't quite see how the Three Month Warranty and the Supplier being contacted 9 Months outside of the Warranty Period, puts them in the position, where rile is being expressed by individuals not effected in any way by this incident. 

In this case, with the Cart' being pulled from usage, the Cart' at present has been approx' $150 per hour to use (75 x $150 = $11Kish)..

If the treatment from VAS is accepted by the OP and a 1000 hours of Usage is achieved, that will come in at approx' $9.75 per hour of usage, bringing the original purchase price and usage cost per hour closely aligned. Which as an outsider looking in, and one who suggests Cart's are sent periodically into a Third Party Service for a Inspection and Clean, the $9.75 per hour surely looks like a win win outcome.

If the OP rejects the VAS work, as a result of inherent prejudices for this type of service handling Cart's built by Japanese Masters of the Phono Cartridge and decides to sell the Cart' for approx' $3K and the new owner gets the 1000 hours usage from it, then that is a steal.

A friend got a Audio Note IO Cart' at a real bargain basement price, and a thorough styli clean resolved all issues reported with the Cart'. The Cart' is now after many hours of usage rebuilt by AN. The Cart' cost and rebuild cost are still less that the present market value for the low hours rebuilt Cart'.   

Maybe!, if Cart's are being purchased at prices that are going to be approx' $3-$15 an hour to use, if the 1000 hours usage life is to be the guideline, then a extended Warranty to cover wear and tear damages within a few year period of ownership would be nice as an option from the supplier, as not many Cart's put into service will come close to the 1000 Hours in the first year of usage, or in some cases not for quite a few years.