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cantelever not straight, advise please.

So I purchased a Dynavector 17D Mk2 from a fellow audiogoner here a couple weeks ago and received it yesterday. First thing I did was open the box and without removing the cart from the mounting plate or even removing the stylus guard I peeked a look at the cantelever. First thing I noticed is that it is not straight (by that I mean not parallel to the sides and square to the front of the cartridge body) I have seen other Dynavectors advertised as not having straight cantelvers and have purposly avoided them. The one I bought was advertised as being like new with 10 hours of use, no mention of the cantelever not being straight.

I'm not splitting hairs here either, it's way off, to the point where you could not use the cartridge body to align it.

I don't know how much of a big deal this is, except that I now own a cartridge that I would not sell without stating clearly that the cantelever is not straight.

I talked to the selling and he says he checked it under a microscope and that is was straight when it left his hands.

I don't think this is my problem at all and I should be offered a refund, but I'm not so sure the seller sees it that way. I told him I would be willing to give it a try, but if it falls off or something then he should stand behind it. I don't think he likes that either.

Just thought I'd run it by you guys here and see what the general consensus would be and if you think I should should just drop it mount it and hope it is OK, or demand a refund.
128x128ejlif
genesis168's avatar
genesis168
409 posts
 
The word is not "straight". Yes, I am sure the cantilever on the 17D2 is straight. I cannot be bent. It's made of a single diamond crystal and cannot be bent. It will just snap off. That's why the guy said it was straight under a microscope.

The real word is more like "true". I guess Ejif was meaning was that the cantilever is not pointing straight ahead. A little skewed to either side or off center. How much is it off?

As for your situation, ask the seller for a full refund or at least a partial one. Is the seller a reputable guy? How's his past feedback?
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Before you start having anxiety attacks and/or get into an embroglio with the seller, notify the seller that you will take the time and money (something he should have done) to have Dynavector check the cartridge and verify that the slight off center cantilever does not indicate damage and that the cartridge is perfectly servicable. OTHERWISE, you will expect a refund of your purchase price or for him to pay for any necessary repair -- his choice.
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french_fries
815 posts
 
IF what you say is true, make sure you let AUDIOGON know in detail exactly what occured. you never even removed the cartridge from the mounting plate and the seller needs to take it back immediately for a full refund including shipping. if he does NOT do this he should be prohibited from selling here ever again. i would be very concerned about buying a used cartridge myself unless it was a local deal and i could personally inspect it. the diamond on my benz cartridge is so tiny i can barely see it with the naked eye.
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rauliruegas
13,103 posts
 
Dear Ejlif: I'm almost sure that the cartridge perform right on Dynavector targets.

IMHO, the point here is if you think that " some day " maybe you want to put on sale if this is the case then ask for a full refund but if you think to keep it " for ever " then just keep it, enjoy it and forget about.

regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
phaser
71 posts
 
I would second Raul's advice on this matter. Many cartridges have cantilevers which are slightly off centre. My new Orpheus does but as long as you align the cantilever rather than the body(as Tubeo suggested) you should be fine and my Orpheus sounds wonderful. Even the Transfiguration owners manual advises this type of alignment suggesting it is a regular in not frequent occurrence.
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