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.
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Showing 2 responses by riffer

Part of the risk you take in buying a cartridge.

Ask for a close up photo of the cantilever and ask specifically if the cantilever is straight and not twisted.

That being said, unless the cantilever is making contact with part of the cartridge it shouldn't, it can still be mounted. I find the old Wally tractors easiest for this.

Another point - I find that Dynavectors are commonly off, and I am not surprised that a Dynavector is the culprit in this case.
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.