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New or used cartridge

I have have good experiences buying a previously owned cart in the past, but have heard several telling me to buy new..  I wish there was a way, to tell how many hours was on a used cart.  Other than putting the cantilever under a microscope,  I see no way concerning the hours/use/condition of a used cart..  I kinda look at it as buying a used car.  Let someone else take the initial "hit". then buy from them, as they're moving over or up.  I have an excellent Koetsu Urushi Black I'm going to put up for sale.  I love it's sound, but am wanting to move up the ladder so to speak.
Please give me opinions concerning this.
handymann
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 

While every one seem to fear the stylus condition by an second

hand cart, according to J. Carr the stylus change is the least

trouble. Anyway by ''exotic cantilevers'' in which the stylus need

to be glued. Not to mention the possibility to chose for a better

stylus shape or kind. There is not as much choice by cantilevers

and suspension. I fear the condition of coils and suspension the

most. It is of course the price difference which is the basic reason

to buy second hand.

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@handymann New Old Stock is the best when it comes to old models, but used cartridges from the collectors hands are no problem (they are used with a great care in rotation with others). All my cartridges are used or NOS. But i prefer fully original cartridges, refurbished cartridges may be different from sample to sample. My multiply (used) samples of the favorite models sounds the same, so i believe they are all have low hrs of use, but for those you believes in burn-in process of everything it is even better. In my experience all used (rare) cartridges are better than new expensive LOMC models i have tried. So i think the key factor is not the condition (of caurse they must be in excellent condition), but the construction, materials etc. I think you’re talking about LOMC cartridges only, because in case with MM cartridge everyone can try to find NOS stylus replacement later.

Like those guys who’re selling you NOS tubes (for example) cartridge must be tested before each sale. If the cartridge works fine then what’s the problem to buy lightly used sample much cheaper or to buy rare cartridge that is impossible to find NOS? Honest sellers (audiophiles and collectors) not trying to cheat their customers and ebay for example is very strong with return policy for full refund if the buyer is not happy. 
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Good luck with a used cartridge i only get a new one as i trust nobody to be honest with the hours on a used one.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I know only one person who's counting hrs for every cartridge in use, but if the cartridge sounds good compared to other cartridges (even compared to new) then it's fine and not worn. Advanced styli can be used for up to 2000 hrs (MicroLine, MicroRidge etc). $30 Inspection by PRO is an option for purists. But i will repead that every used cartridge can be returned for full refund (this is ebay policy and customer protection). Every new cartridge became used once it is opened and checked. Living in a "trust nobody" word might be difficult.  
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cleeds
5,950 posts
 
ebm
Good luck with a used cartridge i only get a new one as i trust nobody to be honest with the hours on a used one.
I couldn't agree more. A phono cartridge is the very last audio component I would ever consider buying used.
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