Stylus is DIAMOND - the hardest material and since it’s NEW (NOS) you’re fine even if it’s 100 years old.
Suspension damper is rubber, some old cartridges are notorious for suspension problems (for example Technics cartridges). Some cartridges are just fine, because the formula is different, depends on the manufacturer.
Normally a cartridge body with bad suspension will fall down on your record after you will play one side of the LP. The suspension damper normally softened over the years, not getting stiffer. Well, maybe some high compliance cartridges getting a bit stiffer, but it is not as bad as the softened suspension damper.
Softened suspension/damper can not resist even 1.2g of the tracking force, those cartridges getting lower and lower until almost fall down on the records surface. You can’t do anything about it, such cartridges must be avoided, just don’t buy them, ask seller to check and confirm the condition of the damper. This is one of the reason why tested cartridges are better than sealed/unused samples. But again, we have learned over the years which cartridges must be ignored, because most of them have softened dampers (Technics cartridges are the worst in this aspect, for example).
Some clever design such as Audio-Technica allow a vendor to tune the tension wire with a little screw right inside the stylus assembly.
Some sellers have no idea what they are selling, what is a suspension or damper, why it is softened etc. Many sellers just play fools and can’t answer the simple questions. Don’t buy vintage cartridges from them.
Suspension damper is rubber, some old cartridges are notorious for suspension problems (for example Technics cartridges). Some cartridges are just fine, because the formula is different, depends on the manufacturer.
Normally a cartridge body with bad suspension will fall down on your record after you will play one side of the LP. The suspension damper normally softened over the years, not getting stiffer. Well, maybe some high compliance cartridges getting a bit stiffer, but it is not as bad as the softened suspension damper.
Softened suspension/damper can not resist even 1.2g of the tracking force, those cartridges getting lower and lower until almost fall down on the records surface. You can’t do anything about it, such cartridges must be avoided, just don’t buy them, ask seller to check and confirm the condition of the damper. This is one of the reason why tested cartridges are better than sealed/unused samples. But again, we have learned over the years which cartridges must be ignored, because most of them have softened dampers (Technics cartridges are the worst in this aspect, for example).
Some clever design such as Audio-Technica allow a vendor to tune the tension wire with a little screw right inside the stylus assembly.
Some sellers have no idea what they are selling, what is a suspension or damper, why it is softened etc. Many sellers just play fools and can’t answer the simple questions. Don’t buy vintage cartridges from them.