I too had the same concern when buying used records with serious surface noise, even after thorough cleaning. From what I was told by those in the know, the groove damage from cheap styli itself should not damage the stylus. As long as the record is clean and doesn't have more serious defects such as deep scratches or chips, it should only have a detrimental effect on the sound, not the stylus. My advice would be to examine each record and make sure it does not have visible damage that could conceivably hurt the stylus.
Can bad LPs damage good cartridges?
Just getting back into analog after an absence of many years. Got tired of seeing all those albums sitting on the shelves, plus my wife has a collection I've never heard. So I bought a Harman Kardon T-60 in like-new condition and a Forte FP1 phono stage, and now I have a Denon DL-110 cartridge on the way.
Then I started thinking ... should I use a brand new cartridge with worn, old records that were used with cheap needles and undoubtedly were slung onto the carpet, in stacks, at least a couple times?
I plan to ask for a Spin Clean Record Washer Mk II for Father's Day, so at least I'll have something to get some of the gunk out of the grooves.
But what about using the new cartridge with old LPs. Will I be risking damage?
Then I started thinking ... should I use a brand new cartridge with worn, old records that were used with cheap needles and undoubtedly were slung onto the carpet, in stacks, at least a couple times?
I plan to ask for a Spin Clean Record Washer Mk II for Father's Day, so at least I'll have something to get some of the gunk out of the grooves.
But what about using the new cartridge with old LPs. Will I be risking damage?
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