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The Absolute Sound
Answers | Q&A (Week of 11.11.24)

Answers | Q&A (Week of 11.11.24)

How to set up my high-end cartridges?

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The Absolute Sound
Nov 15, 2024
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The Absolute Sound
Answers | Q&A (Week of 11.11.24)
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Question:

Q: How can one accurately set up a cartridge, when even some high end cartridges cantilevers are not perfectly straight? I have returned one only to find the same problem with the next. I'm I being too much of a perfectionist. especially when spending over $2k ? Is this a problem others have experienced ?

Is this a QC problem or manufacturing issue ?

—Michael

Answer:

As (almost) always, let’s start with definitions. If “cantilevers are not perfectly straight” means the cantilever is bent (has a bend or angle between the cartridge body and the stylus) that is damage or a manufacturing defect. The cartridge should be returned for replacement.

If, as we suspect, by “cantilevers are not perfectly straight” you mean that the cantilever itself is straight but it is not parallel to the cartridge body, then this may be normal. Keeping in mind that not all cartridge bodies are rectilinear, it can also be hard to judge this element of alignment. Also, some cartridges have a minor static off…

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