2. analog
  3. 1306187708

Can I straighten an off-center twisted cantilever?


Time for a confession: I played exactly three (3) cuts before trying to fine tune my tonearm's alignment. I lost concentration for an instant. The arm slid across the TT's mat, de-centering and twisting --but not breaking-- the cantilever. The cantilever arm itself is still very straight.

This is a Dynavector 20X-L with low hours, for which I paid $300. What is my best path?

There is a jeweler who will loan me his fine pliers, large scale magnification and a vice. Is there any wisdom in trying to realign the cantilever? (beside this incident I'm very good with my hands) Is there anything to lose? I've emailed Soundsmith to explain the situation but had no response.

If I return the cartridge to Dynavector can they return it to original spec? Is it worthwhile? I know Soundsmith is one option, but an audio buddy said the cartridge will never be original specification after a re-tip or cantilever replacement. Is or should that be a concern?

Since my TT is just operative for the first time, I don't know what I'm missing, and wouldn't mind a couple of months without it. When autumn comes (I'm in the northeast: we're not sure Spring is coming) I would really like to be able to listen to my vinyl.

Thanks very much for your shared thoughts and experience.

David
cdk84
almandog
141 posts
 
Don't try to straighten it!!!!!!!
It will break off !!!!!
I was in the same situation as Cdk84 just described, and with a Dynavector 20XH. I tried to straighten it afrer it was bent and the cantilever broke off in my hand. I then sent it to Soundsmith to be repaired. It took to long so I bought another one in the mean time. I like the Dynavector 20X cartridges on my VPI Classic.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
NO RIP!!!!
pops
2,278 posts
 
Cdk - don't try it, chalk it up as a mistake and send er back to be fixed properly! Bummer...
Post removed 
cdk84's avatar
cdk84 OP
70 posts
 

Thanks again for all your support, from both sides of the "aisle" on this issue.

I'm in the middle of a big push on a gigantic project. When I've finished, drunk my champagne and settled back to a less stressful life, I will compose myself, use the jeweler's tools available to me, and, on a good day I will rotate the cantilever, very gently and patiently.

Many materials have a 'memory'. If that is true of the material surrounding the cantilever, I suspect that I have better than a fair chance.

For my money, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

As Elizabeth said so well: Untried, the cartridge is useless; an attempt may work, or not. The outcome will teach me something, and I've already learned my lesson about operating my TT when not completely focused.

I'm inclined to believe that the universe wanted me to get the point, not to have me suffer. I do believe I can re-align the stylus to vertical. We'll see.

More to come.

Sending Appreciation All Around for Opinions Shared,

David
More to discover