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

I have been looking for good used mc cartridges on Audiogon in the $800-1000 price range. Most cartridges at this price advertise 20 to 200 hours. A few questions:
1. Are the advertised hours believable, since turntables do not have elapsed time meters?
2. Is cartridge age more important than playing time?
3. Is 500 hrs too high for the purchase of a used mc cartridge?


cakids

Showing 3 responses by bukanona

bukanona
174 posts
 
You can change coils, suspension and stylus in MC cartridge. Not in all of them but it’s possible.

In MM cartridge you can change stylus easily.

So if you look to buy used toothbrush try Pickering they do have something similar.
bukanona
174 posts
 
Seems that you guys don't listen mono records.
bukanona
174 posts
 
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.  
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