A warning if you buy a Ortofon mm cartridge

[ovlov854]

Ask on here in Private Exhibitions for a whole cartridge in decent condition. I'm sure somebody will eventually come up with one at a sane price. Then you'll have a good cartridge and have a spare stylus. Your original stylus may not have too much life left after three years if you've played a lot of music in any case.

Actually. If you're stuck for playing music, I can possibly find you something to keep you going, maybe an old, but serviceable Audio Technica.

And that's not an invite to everybody else for a free cartridge!!

Bravo Geoff

[Scooby]

I feel that the OP has every right to be dissatisfied with Ortofon. Cartridge bodies shouldn't fail in the first place. When they do, a decent manufacturer would replace FOC, never mind refuse to sell. I'm not saying they should advertise these things for sale but they should IMO help out with a one-off request.

Thank you fior advertising the service you received. That's what's great about forums: Good and bad manufacturer experiences can be shared and we can all learn from other people's experiences. I only hope someone from Ortofon reads this and has a re-think.

[hifi_dave]

I have seen some photos of Ortofon 2M series where the cartridge tags have actually come away from the body. I believe there is a genuine issue here.

I have a customer with exactly that problem - one of the pins has pulled out of the body.

Henley wouldn't supply him with a replacement body despite it being only £40 worth at full retail. They must have some duff cartridges kicking around they could cannibalise for the sake of customer satisfaction.

[Clive197]

It has always been my experience with Henley Designs that they give excellent service.

That said I’m surprised you haven’t gone back to the original dealer as under British law a product has to last a reasonable period of time. As your Ortofon is not exactly a cheap cartridge and is less than 6yrs old, I think that you have a reasonable claim. The dealer should at the very least fight your claim.

[struth]

6 yrs is long enough i'd say for all guarantees to be expired. its unfortunate that Henley and Ortophon take this stance and wont sell bodies only, but the more its highlighted in places like this the sooner this will start to become widely known and folk can make up their own minds re this kind of poor after sales service.

[Macca]

I can supply an Ortofon 540 Mk2 body if that is any use? The 2M Black replaced the 540 mk2 so it should be compatible with your existing stylus. I don't want any money for it. Just send me a PM I can post it out to you on Friday morning.

[Dubster68]

I can supply an Ortofon 540 Mk2 body if that is any use? The 2M Black replaced the 540 mk2 so it should be compatible with your existing stylus. I don't want any money for it. Just send me a PM I can post it out to you on Friday morning.

Cracking gesture Martin

[paulf-2007]

OK, if it is true that Henley Designs refuses to repair a cartridge with a faulty generator that costs around £475 then in my eyes this is a serious matter. If I were you in this situation I would call Goldring in UK -they have a repair service but not sure if Goldring will be prepared to repair an Ortofon. Then there is Dominic Harper from NWA. These are two serious addresses IMO but other forum members may provide some more..?

Is an apology on its way then matey?

[forsell]

Is an apology on its way then matey?

Mine...?

[spikey_w]

I had a similar experience when one channel had no sound with a Grado cartridge. I initially sent the cartridge back to the dealer and they said it's not possible to replace the body. I just so happen went to a HiFi show and spoke about my disappointing experience with a Grado representative. He couldn't been more helpful and he gave me details to send it back and I got a new replacement body promptly.

So not all cartridge manufacturer are the same for customer service.