Ortofon MC X30 broken cantilever - what are my options

@tablejockey 

"You will get a new cantilever/stylus GLUED to the remaining stub within the generator. 

You should call SS to confirm."

I also want to add, I had VAS fix my friend’s Benz Micro Wood, with a new boron cantilever/microline, and Steve put a note on the cartridge’s box: DO NOT use liquid stylus cleaner, because the stylus tip is pushed into the factory cut hole and glued onto the boron rod.

I think I dissolved the glue on one he built for me, because one day the stylus tip was simply gone. Previously (no more) I frequently used AT’s and another brand's Liquid Stylus Cleaner. I don’t recall a warning, I suspect Steve assumed I knew more than I do. Of course I could have whacked the edge of the platter ’just so’.

In any case it’s fixed and I use a stronger magnifying mirror and brush only if I see something, not routinely for no reason except blind prevention, not fluid.

$75 for what apparently is a major upgrade?  I wouldn’t hesitate.

@maam522a 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/soundsmith-relocating?highlight=Soundsmith
 

I would ask about turnaround time. Then make a decision. 

Don’t they use an epoxy type glue? Such an adhesive ought to be impervious to any liquid stylus cleaner, I would think. One difference I’ve noticed via microscope examination of many styli but could still be inaccurate, between vintage cartridges and modern or retipped cartridges, is the adhesive is a lot more evident in the latter cases. Perhaps this observation is only applicable to retipped ones. One advantage of the lowly aluminum cantilever is that the stylus was often press fitted into a hole at the end. No glue necessary, which I view as a good thing. In fact my vintage B&O had a press fitted stylus into a sapphire hollow tube, until I accidentally destroyed it.

Buy the new MC X 40 is absolute outstanding…..