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Buying a used cartridge...tell us your tale.

Personally, I have a VERY BIG reticence to buying a used cartridge. The amount of use or damage to the stylus and/or other working parts would seem to me to be a large unknown. Since just one play of a damaged stylus will result in damage to your records, I have always shun away from any used cartridge purchase.
OTOH, I'm sure many have been successful in buying a used cartridge and then again...there are those that have NOT:(.
I would be interested in hearing the tales...the good, the bad and the ugly
128x128daveyf
david12
1,454 posts
 
Ebm, that's your opinion and your entitled to it. Other respondents, including myself, have set out the broadly good experiences we have had and the resulting big money savings.

Everyone buying second hand in this area are aware of the risks, or should be. It is their money to gamble and their risk to take, but stupid it is not.
bigby
149 posts
 
Beautiful looking. Fantastic sound and still going strong.
bigby
149 posts
 
Bought a re-tipped Benz-Micro LP. Great sound and still going strong.
topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
353 posts
 
Budget for a rebuild and you'll be ok. I waited 3 years to find a Decca/London FFSS MkIV C4E, knowing that I could get it rebuilt by John Wright, the current London cartridge designer and manufacturer.
dgarretson
2,597 posts
 
I've purchased a dozen or so vintage MM/MI used or NOS on eBay, with remarkably few issues. I'm keeping my fingers crossed about an Ortofon MC2000 currently en route. If that classic shows excessive wear it will certainly be worth the cost of a rebuild.
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