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Ortofon MC X30 broken cantilever - what are my options

I purchased this cart about 3 months ago.  After playing a record yesterday, I noticed the Cantilever was slightly askew towards the center of the record.  I decided to brush it lightly with a dry stylus brush to see if something was loose.  The cantilever fell off.  I do not recall any event that could have damaged it but you never know.

I have sent a message to Ortofon - but what are my options?  This is my first time with a broken MC Cart.

maam522a
richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
1,387 posts
 

@mahler123 

WTF does SOL mean?  FWIW I only speak strine.  And I hate TLAs

mahler123
4,003 posts
 

This being a Family Site, use your imagination-or Google, as I just did for TLA

maam522a OP
162 posts
 

@audphile1 @mahler123 

The math on the Ortofon exchange program creates a challenge or opportunity. Rather than paying the $500+ for the same cartridge (exchanged), Soundsmith can upgrade it to a Sapphire, Ruby, or Boron Cantilever - making it a MC X40 that sells for $1150.  With the original MC X30 cost of $780 plus the cost of the upgrade/repair, I would be out about $75 overall. 

hysteve
105 posts
 

+ for VAS as I had a very positive experience recently with inspection and cleaning. Also purchased a tonearm from Steve Leung there that I am very happy with. Unless you are in Great Britain I would not recommend sending anything to Expert Stylus. I tried it and had my cartridge hung up in Parcelforce (customs) for 3 months and ultimately had to have it returned without ever having reached the destination.

lewm
14,675 posts
 

Your unfortunate experience with customs had nothing to do with Expert Stylus. In my experience their work is excellent and their service is speedy. I would not hesitate to do business with them again. It’s certainly not their fault that we are in a tariff war.

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