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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
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,517 posts
 
In business, in audio deals (even retail audio deals) -- and especially stuff like cartridges, remember little 'Dee Dee': DUE DILIGENCE. Check new and used prices, forum discussions of the item, ask the seller every question you can think of, and then ask a wise old audio friend if you forgot anything! None of this costs you or the seller anything but a few minutes of time. Picking it up in person? Check everything; make a list beforehand if you're easily distracted.

Another thing: even if the box it comes in doesn't look damaged, photograph the unpacking process (well, digital cameras aren't for serious photography are they?) Just do it, and don't be in such a hurry to plug your new joy toy into some juice. A little discipline can save a lot of ass! And post-mortems like this one would be unnecessary.
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jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Neil, I agree with all that you say. That's good advice when buying used audio gear. However, I still say "Don't buy used phono cartridges". It is BY FAR the riskiest investment that you can possibly make in used audio. Mostly because the wear and tear are not visible to the naked eye. I learned this lesson the hard way years ago. Hopefully more than Ryan will learn from this. Buy the best NEW cartridge that you like and/or can afford.

Cheers,
John
oregon
608 posts
 
John,
I agree 100%. One never knows what a cart has gone through.
riffer
362 posts
 
I have just as many problems with new cartridges, to the extent that I will only purchase a new cartridge if the dealer has it in stock and I am able to examine it myself.
ejlif's avatar
ejlif OP
1,243 posts
 
I can say with complete certainty that if anyone bought my used Dynavector 20XL that they would be getting a solid cartridge that works perfect and has approx 100-150 hours. I guess the real problem is that I didn't buy my cart from the right type of seller. I should have investigated him a bit more. His cart was a good deal and I just said I'll take it. It's not like it's a lot of money, it's more the point of it all that bugs me.

I'll just have to delve more into a person's character from now on and find out if they are worthy of selling a used cartridge or not. If I knew without a doubt that I would be happy forever with any one cartridge I would buy a new one and just be done with it. Even that sounds like it can be a risky proposition!
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