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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
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Lewm, if you search D'Agostino in the amps section of audio you will see the thread and response from Dan. I can't add anymore context, however it was clear from Dan's response it had nothing to do with overheating or any other conspiracy theory. It was a component in the power on circuit.
Atkinson also responded in audio asylum critics where he did not run the 2nd sample for the normal time due to deadlines.

Anyway,never heard of any owner with reliability issues of the Momentum amps, including myself - and I run them hard.

Garcia, I really don't give a toss what you think, however at least be factual with your statements.
lewm
13,130 posts
 
Downunder, I did not have the foggiest notion that you owned a Momentum amplifier. I in no way meant to insult the product. I know zero about them, but the chassis is indeed a thing of beauty. If you like it, that is all that counts. When I read the paragraph you quoted, it seemed that D'Agostino was saying, in effect, it was not "this thing" that went wrong, it was "that thing". A distinction without a difference. I actually have some empathy for a low volume manufacturer of an exotic high end piece, when such issues arise during review. For all we know, the problem could well have been related to abuse by the end user. HP was well known to blow things up due to his utter lack of technical knowledge and then blame the equipment.

Syntax, Great post.
wolf_garcia
6,711 posts
 
Downunder...You clearly DO care what I think, and that's sweet. If you spend $42,000 on amps you have every right to be testy when a forum has fun with 'em. Stand by your Dan! (this comment has been deemed 100% factual)
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Garcia, fantastic,more dribble. I would certainly have been shafted if I had paid your price for my amp.

Enjoy you fun mass debating :-)
kiddman
341 posts
 
I don't think folks are up in arms just because an 8k cartridge exists. They (I include myself so should say "we") are upset that something so expensive was submitted 3 times before the company got it right.....to a reviewer no less! And to top it off, the reviewer then goes and raves it. This is the irresponsibility (on the company's part, not Fremer) in this hobby that so many of us are upset about.

I don't see threads on expensive Dynavectors, Air Tights, or Lyras where folks are this upset.

We all know what it means when the company can't even get a sample to a reviewer correct on the first 2 tries: it means that lots of bad ones went to consumers. I think folks should be riled up at that thought!
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