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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
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I'm sure it doesn't have only 10 hours on it. That's just like the old "check is in the mail" routine. There is no way to know how many hours are on a used cartridge. There is no way of telling how hard a cartridge was run (excess VTF, misalignment, etc). There is no way of knowing that the cartridge was set up and/or cared for properly. There is no way of knowing whether or not you even bought it from the original owner. Even with a receipt, it could have been a store demo.

Too many variables buying a used cartridge to even consider it, IMHO.

Happy New Year,
John
riffer
362 posts
 
Part of the risk you take in buying a cartridge.

Ask for a close up photo of the cantilever and ask specifically if the cantilever is straight and not twisted.

That being said, unless the cantilever is making contact with part of the cartridge it shouldn't, it can still be mounted. I find the old Wally tractors easiest for this.

Another point - I find that Dynavectors are commonly off, and I am not surprised that a Dynavector is the culprit in this case.
donshoemaker
38 posts
 
One of the neat little tools I picked up a couple of years ago was a "Digital Blue" computer microscope that sold for around $50. at Toys R Us. I don't think they carry it anymore,but you can still buy them online. It is good enough to see the overall condition and dirt on the stylus tip and cantilever. It also has a built in digital camera that will let you take a snapshot and email a photo of the stylus. This paid for itself with me when I was sent a table/arm/cartridge with a Blue Point Special that had a creased cantilever. To the naked eye it looked slightly skewed,the microscope clearly revealed the crease! Took a picture,emailed the seller and he sent me a partial refund.This will also lend credibility if you sell a cartridge as you can post a picture of it in your ad.
ejlif's avatar
ejlif OP
1,375 posts
 
Well as an update the guy refuses to do anything. So we are off to Audiogon mediation I guess. I'd just leave the guy a nice fat negative feedback and be done with it, but there is the worry of him just retaliating and doing the same. I did nothing wrong and have stellar feedback. I make sure to take care of anyone who buys from me and don't want that perfect track record of 8 years tarnished because of some a$$hole from Reno. I may just have to chalk it up as a loss and hope it works OK and just keep it forever.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Donshoemaker -- I tracked down the microscope you recommended -- pretty neat device (although it's now $100 ;-) What I want to know; is the head removable from the base - and could one then look at the stylus (from the side) with the cartridge mounted in the tonearm?
Thanks,

Neil
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