Cartridge breakin ......how long?

IMO, it depends on the cartridge. My experience with various cartridges is between 20 and 200 hours to reach best performance.

ALSO, at least in the case of an AT OC9/(all of them), if they sit idle for a while (week or more), it may take them a few record sides to get back to optimum. Regular play keeps them loose.

Thanks for the input. Cartridge was mounted by experienced dealer. I will wait 50 hours and then make adjustments. I'm excited about this cartridge's potential. Tracks very quietly and retrieves more info out-of-the-box than my Glider. Can't wait to hear it after breakin.

I have a Soundsmith Aida and it took between 50 to 100
hours of playing time be patience you will be rewarded with great sound.

To me hours are meaningless. Just listen and enjoy your music. If while listening something is bothering you, experiment with VTF, arm height, loading....it should be a quest for satisfaction and your ability to squeeze your system to provide it.

"11-17-15: Inna
Zd542, good cables , they can change dramaticaly for the better after 100-200 hours. I consider cables components."

I agree with you on that. Some cables take even longer than 200 hours to break in. The OP was asking about a phono cart for break in.

"11-17-15: Stringreen
To me hours are meaningless. Just listen and enjoy your music. If while listening something is bothering you, experiment with VTF, arm height, loading....it should be a quest for satisfaction and your ability to squeeze your system to provide it."

That's good advice, but with new carts, you need to be careful. A brand new phono cart can sound so bad you'll think its defective. For the first 15-20 hours, I can actually hear a difference with each new record I play.