2. analog
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Real world life expectancy of a high end cartridge?

While I know they’re supposed to last 1000 hours how many make it all that way?  

Question prompted by my brushing a knuckle on my AS Palladian this afternoon and trashing it ... lesson learned not to try tonearm adjustments without full access to the table (normally I move the table off the wall shelf to a more convenient location to make adjustments, but not this time 😬)

And doesn’t it just happen that the cost of a recipe/trade is exactly my deductible so even insurance is no help 😲

Anyway just needed to vent ... but anyone playing with these expensive baubles better be prepared to reup on a replacement at any moment 🤪
128x128folkfreak
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Great method Elizabeth.
I wish I was that dedicated!

Honestly I can say I am clueless on how many hours on my carts.
I do have 3 right now for main table and tend to rotate them around so hopefully get decent mileage.

Also have been using Stylast for ages, I bought 2 bottles and still nowhere near empty on first bottle!
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
And to Folkfreak.... Ouch!

Expensive whoopsie!

😞😞😞
helomech
1,737 posts
 
Stylus life? Maybe shorter than you think:
https://thevinylpress.com/the-finish-line-for-your-phonograph-stylus/
Beat me to it. Seems 500 hours is likely the safe limit for most styli.
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak OP
1,349 posts
 
For tracking stylus life I built a little click on/click off elapsed time timer using an electronics module that is good for 999 hours -- most other counters have far too short a period. You can see a picture of it in my system description -- it was a simple enough electronics project. Of course now I need to take it apart to do a reset!
gakerty's avatar
gakerty
175 posts
 
I'm at ~1200 hrs with my Benz Wood SL, and while it still sounds lovely overall, I MAY be imagining slight distortions where there wasn't before.  It certainly isn't obvious, but is enough to have me thinking for a retip, rebuild, or a brand new cart...
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