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 5 responses by cakids

Current analog front ends are:
Hana EL, Pro-ject RPM-9 with Evolution graphite arm. EAR 834P phono pre.
Vintage HOMC Adcom Crosscoil with Soundsmith ruby upgrade (really), Oracle Delphi V with granite plinth, SME 309 arm, Manley Chinook phono pre.
Both systems feed vacuum tube amps.
Previous favorite cartridges included Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Sumiko Blackbird.
Your responses have been very helpful. I think that I will avoid high hours used cartridges. Too many unknowns.
I’m now thinking that about $1000 on something like a new Hana ML or AT ART9 is a better way to go. While possibly not as fine as some $2000 cartridges, at least I’ll be using the cartridge in its prime. And these have great reviews.
Lots of interesting thoughts, and few entertaining ones. (Like now I have  to catalog the cost ratios of all my components to see if they meet the audiophile acceptable standards.)
Seriously, this thread has convinced me to buy new - and from a brick and mortar dealer.  We have several in my neck of the woods.

Thanks all.
Thanks again for your comments. The posters seem divided on pro-used cartridges vs anti-used. Taking all your thoughts into consideration, for me, at this price range, I’m probably going new with an AT ART9, to minimize variables. Also to have a local human to deal with if there are problems.
Happy listening.
PS I may have a slightly used Hana EL for sale if this works out (somewhere between 50 and 200 hours of use I estimate). Or maybe I’ll just keep it.
Just purchased and installed a new A-T ART9. Very pleased with the sound initially. Can’t directly compare to other cartridges, but vinyl is superior in every comparison With hi-res digital.