A pragmatic view of cartridge expenses / many questions

First I spent on everything else, that doesn't wear out much. Then I built an ultrasonic record cleaner, and cleaned all my records a few times. Then I bought a big Koetsu.

Factory rebuild costs a bomb - but, after 1000 hours, there is minimal wear (objectively speaking - a photomicrograph). At this rate, I'll need one rebuild, maybe two in my lifetime, and I have few remaining audio expenses. So I use it most of the time.

@mijstyn,

“you are certainly going to need that 80db with the Strat.
Not so sure I am sold on the single pole idea. Anyway, I am more interested on what you think of the Soundsmith and how it compares to your Benz. Thanx:)“

Sure. My take is that the Sussaro MKII exceeds the performance of the Benz LPS, but, in a way that is not dramatic, but definitely better. Compared to each other, I would say the Benz LPS is more lush, but it’s quite good at detail retrieval and subtle notes. The Sussaro MKII brings out the voices better. In fact, the entire soundstage is larger and more holographic with the Sussaro MKII. 
I am not knocking the Benz LPS because it is very good, but as they say, technology never sleeps and the Sussaro MKII does music playback better. The Benz LPS has been the same since the middle of the 2000s I believe. My reference test LPs which I play that have some great voicing and others with brass instruments really showcase how much better the mids are with the Sussaro MKIi. If anything, I would say it would be almost the same upgrade going from the Benz LP to the Benz LPS. You get more of what was already good. The Benz LPS always sounded good to me with the exception that I felt the voices were not much pronounced and somewhat subdued. 
With the Sussaro MKIi, I get all of what i Iiked in the Benz LPS and then some, especially with voicing and soundstage. The Benz LPS has been my reference cartridge for years and it was not until replacement parts and price became an issue, that I started looking at others. Hence, the Soundsmith Sussaro MKIi.

Speaking of other cartridges, I just did some preliminary testing with the VDH Crimson....it’s a totally different type of presentation. Fast, robust mids and highs, and very fast attack on bass. Tracking at 1.5 and using 20 ohm loading for now. Compared to the Sussaro, the Crimson is hyper analytical. Will see how long this will last. It’s a used demo and I am seeing if it meshes with my ears and equipment. I had to turn the mids and tweeters down on my field coil speakers to give you an idea of what I am describing. It was a straightforward install onto the SME V arm. Did not change gain at all. 
Audioquest4life

If the assertion (premise) is not true than deduced statements
from the assertion can't be true also. In +40 years in this hobby
and more than 60 cartridges I never wear out any of them.
Is there such thing as ''imagined wear''? 

Hi audioquest4life
Pirelli P Zero have always been homologated for the fastest Porsches.
Dunlop have recently joined.
That said, like you I favour the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup.
At a recent Club trackday I counted more than 4 to 1 on Michelins and not a single Dunlop.

Top carts - vdH yes.  Ortofon yes