Upgrading cartridge used or new?

Middle ground- buy used cart from dealer who has excellent feedback.

Like Manitunc, I have purchased many, more than 50, used cartridges over the past few years and only one was defective. My vinyl sounds as good today as then. My experience is positive.

It really depends on YOUR personal risk tolerance. Some can't imagine using a used cartridge and others like myself are OK. Some only buy from large established companies and others are fine with small boutique companies who may go out of business next week.

Which one are you?

I forgot to mention most of my purchases were 20 to 30 year old MM/MI cartridges, which most safe people will say not to purchase due to age of the suspension.

BTW, the Technics 205 did have a bad suspension upon arrival and an Azden 50pl suspension failed after a couple of months, so they are not completely wrong. 2 out of 50+.

I would not buy any cartridge, new or used, without being able to return it if defective.

Good Luck!

Like Acman......I too have bought over 30 styli and cartridges during the last 2 years and had only two of those arrive defective.
Most were also 30 year old MM vintage cartridges with the average price around $250..... although one was a $900 vintage MM and one was a $1200 much prized vintage LOMC with known defective stylus which I subsequently had replaced.
Many of these cartridges equal the performances of my favourite brand new LOMCs like the ZYX UNIverse and Dynavector XV-1s.
There are many contributors to the MM Thread here on A'Gon with similar positive experiences.
A large number of the cartridges I have bought are NOS and have 'visually' been confirmed as having no (or little) use.
I have no qualms about continuing this method of cartridge acquisition.....and can recommend it.....if you know what you are doing?

With my addiction out for all to see, I only can find 43, but I refuse to look in any more drawers.;)