Are 500 hours too many for a used hi-end cartridge?

@daveyf @cleeds

Haha, everyone on this forum aware that i hate conical styli (and never use them myself), but i just said what other people often posted about it here on audiogon.

I must say i do not believe that stylus with 500 hrs on it can destroy any LP with simple play at correct VTF. This is not a gramophone needle, so common ...

I’m currently buying James Brown records made in the 70’s from the original mastertape in JAPAN by Polydor K.K. in SAL74 System Sound Revolution series. This is by far the best ever pressing of James Brown and nothing can beat it, reissues are very bad. Everything on Polydor K.K. is better than US original Polydor pressing. It was a huge label. But Japanese knew how to make records in the 70’s better. This is just one example of the superior pressing from the mid 70's. 

I was thinking why do they call it SAL74 ?
SAL74 is cutting amp for Neumann Lathe, anyone can comment on it ?

chakster

... i do not believe that stylus with 500 hrs on it can destroy any LP with simple play at correct VTF.

The number of hours on a stylus is only one factor to assess. Cartridges that were not properly aligned when new often result in styli that are worn unevenly. Styli that were used to play dirty records are also subject to accelerated wear, and then of course there's the potential of damage just from mishandling.

If you're happy buying used cartridges with supposedly 500 hours on them, be my guest! But I don't buy used cartridges or used tires, and for many of the same reasons.

There is 2 main factors which can damage records nowadays and first one is more common:
- too low VTF
- damaged or misaligned stylus

If you have mono record which is shot, try it with true mono cartridge with 0,7 mil diamond or if you have religion against conical with 0,3x0,7 mil elliptical.  Just it must be true mono.

Hint these old mono classical or jazz records was played with 1 mil or even 3 mil stylus.
So you can try even with used cartridge just it have to be true mono. You'll rediscover that these dull records are still alive.  

@bukanona. Unfortunately, several of my old mono LPS are ruined due to a worn stylus. Now, I grant you, if you don’t mind a ton of snap, crackle and pop, then one could still listen to these...with the cartridges you suggest. 

@cleeds i am not happy to buy used cartridges with 500 hrs on them, i prefer NOS vintage cartridges or opened and tested NOS samples (this is the best) with something like 100 hrs max, from audiophiles (not from amateurs). 

But used records from 99% of the dealers most likely played with average cartridges for decades and if the condition is nice (fair grading) it's not a problem. 

I do not belong to the group of elitist audiophiles who comparing vinyl to digital and for this reason can accept only overpriced audiophile pressing re-issues with very limited choice of music on this format. 

I want normal records, originals, made for everyone in analog era, not today for audiophiles on re-issues that cost more than MINT originals