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Fremer's review of the Anna cartridge

Fremer reviews the $8499 cartridge very positively, but it takes three different samples of the cartridge for him to get there. The first sample exhibited "an incompatibility between the adhesives used and the elastomer of which the cartridge's damper is made." Fremer notes "[e]vidently, however, this problem didn't affect every Anna that left the factory." Wow, what a relief. In the second sample, apparently "some the glue that secures the stylus in the cantilever had dripped." The third sample, after 100 hrs of break-in finally delivered. Fremer suggests buying and using an USB microscope as part of the cartridge buying process.

Does anyone else think this is absolutely nuts? It seems to me, at this price level, every single cartridge should be absolutely perfect. Haven't Ortofon heard of quality control? This also applies to Lyra whose $9500 Atlas cartridge had the stylus affixed to the cantilever at an angle that made it virtually impossible to get the SRA of 92 degrees.
actusreus
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,218 posts
 
I've owned an Ortofon MC Anna for 14 months.
And how is that relevant to the discussion?
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 
ok. I get it. you guys have no interest in actual owner feedback on the Anna.

I would have expected that information from extended use would be pertinent to discussion of the review.

sorry to have bothered.
philb7777
401 posts
 
Mike I think people have just taken notice of an 'outlier' from the norm review of an expensive piece of gear ($8K cart) that was defective multiple times. It naturally raises concern about quality control of this specific model - not Ortofon in general.

Clearly Ortofon is stretching the boundaries of manufacturing with the Anna and its complex, sophisticated design. I also think that a 14 mo review from you about its great sound and zero problems along with a few others you know with the Anna having a similar good experience is very important to the discussion.

I also think Jeff Catalano at HWS has been spinning an Anna for a few months without any issues too.

Again probably the Fremer experience was an 'outlier' but justifiably unnerving. And good experiences like yours is great to hear and reassure propsective buyers. I have no doubt that someone from Ortofon has to be watching this thread (those industry guys in high end are everywhere!).

By the way, as much venom and lack of objectivity that Romy the Cat guy spews, why would anyone listen to him? Credibitlity factor is low with that guy from what I have read from him. Strong opinions, objectivity lacking.
wolf_garcia
6,696 posts
 
I have NOT heard the Anna. I have to use my imagination to construct its sound based on reviews and opinion. So far it sounds fine in my head but it does need VTA adjustment.
philb7777
401 posts
 
Yeah Wolf, I haven't heard it either. And at $8500 its out of my price range. But when Mike says its the best sounding cart he's had in his system (and I believe my memory serves he's had some stellar ones) then the Anna must be something. And for the price, she better be!

I probably won't get to hear an Anna until I go to one of the audio shows. And even then, I really won't know what I am hearing as the room and associated gear I will likely not be familiar with. Sigh.....
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