New or used cartridge

@handymann, I want to separate the cartridge from the stylus if you don’t mind. My first cartridge was a used Shure M91ED. It cost $35 that I bought off of ebay. I came with the original box, packing material, and a used but otherwise in good condition original stylus. I also bought a new JICO SAS (Super Analog Stylus) for that cartridge which also was a first for me. I popped in that stylus, used my Technic alignment tool, rebalanced the tonearm and that $35 dollar cartridge produced a great sound for the price

After having a positive experience with the Shure M91ED cartridge I stayed in the Shure family and bought a used Shure V15VxMR cartridge also. Now keep in mind this is just the cartridge. Normally they can go from $500 and up and I saw one for $220 Canadian on US AUDIO. Little did I know at the time that $220 Canadian was equal to $150 US. A steal of a deal if this is legit. Turns out it was, as the Shure and some other cartridges last for decades. I then did what I did before and bought a new stylus, the JICO SAS (Shure) VN5xMR stylus. The music sounded so sweet especially with my Pro-Ject Phono Box RS MM/MC preamp.

The next used cartridge and used stylus I bought was a Soundsmith Zephyr MKIII High Output Moving Iron cartridge and stylus and I haven’t looked back from buying used. There is nothing wrong with buying used, especially when sites like ebay offer built in protections for the buyer and seller. And if I ever want to sell them I can, as we all and you will one day too, get the upgrade bug!

If the cartridge was produced in the last two years then it probably
has under 200 hours. Most cartridges are good for 1000 hours.
I have had exceptionally good experiences buying used cartridges
on Audiogon. Most of them were cartridges that people did not
like because they failed to break them in. You will usually do much better buying from an individual than a dealer. Finally if you find you need to replace the stylus than Soundsmith can do it for a reasonable price and usually a better stylus. 

The MicroRidge and similar advanced LineContact styli must be replaced after 2000 hrs, the Conical and Elliptical stily must be replaced every 200-500hrs. 

Handyman, you mention an Urushi.

If you are considering rising in the Koetsu line, note that Koetsu likes to service their own cartridges by completely rebuilding them. It is said that they will not touch a cartridge which has been serviced by another.

Therefore, your options are limited. You could get someone (like Soundsmith) to inspect the cartridge, but not service it. Then, if necessary, send it to Koetsu for rebuilding at great cost. The result of this would be essentially a new Koetsu with Koetsu sound. Unless Koetsu refused to rebuild it because of tampering by the former owner.

Alternatively, you could get someone like Soundsmith to service it at lower cost. But you might not get Koetsu sound or Koetsu longevity.

I have the KRSP with diamond cantilever and like it a lot. Rebuild price will be very high - hope I can afford it come the day. But after 700 hours the stylus still looks good.

Terry9:  Thanks for the info, but there's nothing wrong with my Urushi Black. Just thought I would move up.                                          Steve