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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
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,589 posts
 
Onhwy61,

Do you think that Ortofon will replace every Anna that is returned because the owner is not sure what's wrong but doesn't think the cartridge is working properly?

I don't.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,218 posts
 
I'm not going to speculate what Ortofon will do, but this is what I would do if I were a cartridge manufacturer in a similar situation. I would contact each registered purchaser of the cartridge and offer an explanation of what the problems with MF's review samples were. I would further offer any owner a factory review and re-certification of their cartridge at no cost. If during that review process a cartridge is determined to be out of spec or defective I would offer a free repair or replacement. For cartridges that I determined to be past their useful life due to normal wear and tear I would offer a reduced price replacement. Cartridges that I deem to have been mishandled or abused would be handled on a case by case basis.
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,589 posts
 
I nominate Onhwy61 for Minister of All High-End Manufacturing.
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rauliruegas
13,060 posts
 
Dear Lewm: Yes that can happen like with Ortofon or AN and with other top cartridges. It happened to me more than once.

I agree: ++++ " It takes grande cojones to be a high-end consumer " +++++

The situation with the Anna is nothing new on the high-end audio items market. How many of us laready experienced several troubles with new products as: TT/tonearms, electronics or speakers?, I think that every one of us already experienced some way or other.

I'm not saying to justify that bad QC but we know that that bad QC in some items is the " bread " of every day and IMHO is a SHAME it still happen today. Why pay we so high prices for that kind of bad QC items?

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
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rauliruegas
13,060 posts
 
Dear M. Lavigne: I would like that you come back again not to tell us what already posted but to tell us if you have any tiny concern/worry on what we are discussing here. I hope you can share your personal opinion on the whole subject.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
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