Should the Tone Arm be Removed When Installing Cartridge?

I guess according to Miller there would be 3 categories among us: audiophiles, sensible persons, and Linnies. We know the latter group are irredeemable.

i see merit in mijo’s approach, if you have an easily removable arm board and a non-removable headshell.


in my experience gimbal type tonearm bearings are not so fragile, given reasonable care. Many unipivots simply come apart at the bearing junction.

I own a Linn and am well aware of the Linn-advised paranoia about stressing or damaging the bearings. I supposed one *could* exert enough force on the bearings that they could be damaged, but - if one is careful and considers the kind of force exerted when mounting a cartridge on tonearm that is mounted on a record player - it should be easy to avoid. All it takes is care and thoughtfulness. I never remove my Ittok when replacing the cartridge. As others have mentioned, removing the arm and re-mounting it would be much more like to provide opportunities to damage the arm, the bearings or the cartridge. A little reasonable care is sufficient to avoid damaging the bearings... a review of some materials science suggests the strength of the steel used in the bearings should render it very difficult to damage the bearings - AS LONG AS ONE IS CAREFUL.
Obviously, just IMHO. And I expect those who were trained by Linn will be able to provide a counter-argument against what I’ve written above. Note that I am not trying to pick a fight with anyone. Just sharing my experience and what has worked for me...

You would have to hit the tonearm with a hammer to damage its bearings or more likely drop it on the floor. I have never seen a tonearm damaged in the process of mounting a cartridge. I have seen several bent cantilevers. 

Thanks for the feedback. 
noromance - yes, that is still a requirement of all Linn service representatives i.e. to remove the tonearm when installing a cartridge.   

I own a Linn and am well aware of the Linn-advised paranoia about stressing or damaging the bearings. I supposed one *could* exert enough force on the bearings that they could be damaged, but - if one is careful and considers the kind of force exerted when mounting a cartridge on tonearm that is mounted on a record player - it should be easy to avoid. All it takes is care and thoughtfulness. I never remove my Ittok when replacing the cartridge. As others have mentioned, removing the arm and re-mounting it would be much more like to provide opportunities to damage the arm, the bearings or the cartridge. A little reasonable care is sufficient to avoid damaging the bearings... a review of some materials science suggests the strength of the steel used in the bearings should render it very difficult to damage the bearings - AS LONG AS ONE IS CAREFUL.

Exactly. This is after all a cartridge we are talking about. To the people so worried they think it a good idea to remove the arm, on the assumption I guess that you are too big a spaz to not break the arm, my question would be, You're too stupid and clumsy to mount a cartridge, but not to remove the arm AND mount a cartridge?

I guess according to Miller there would be 3 categories among us: audiophiles, sensible persons, and Linnies. We know the latter group are irredeemable.

Maybe more hopeless than irredeemable, but I get your drift.