Cartridges, Vinyl, Stylus, Turntable

Decent cheaper cart ( not endorsing selection per se ) will be fine if setup on good quality / good condition tonearm and aligned with skill.

First, all LPs are potential "audiophile" LPs, depending upon the quality of the pressing and the past history of the particular sample, but one wants to take care of any LP worth playing.  Second, no, of course an inexpensive cartridge will not harm an LP, provided the stylus is in new to at least "good" condition and the set-up parameters, particularly VTF, are within spec.

I do not think so. My experience has been that relatively inexpensive cartridges track at a different level in the groove. But, also, when I had two different turntables I would never use the inexpensive one.

Does this mean THE JOINT is getting less use? I sense a mobility issue. Hope all is well.

noromance,

 No. But shamefully, I have not updated my profile in years and The Joint is completely different. I will try to update soon.

 I am setting up a second system in the living room where everyone in the house can play some vinyl. The Joint is my primary dedicated listening room.

Hope all is well with you. Stay cool.

That pearl cartridge is highly regarded as an audiophile budget cartridge....same for the venerable AT95e, which was even less expensive....another that comes to mind, the ortofon OM10...

AS long as the cartridge is properly aligned, and the stylus isn't worn or damaged, I believe you can play your records on the second turntable without fear. Nor do the two cartridges in use have to have the same stylus profile (theoretically, if they have different profiles each will travel on a different part of the groove and potentially lessen any wear).

@lewm 1+

Why on God's green earth would you need a turntable in a secondary system?

Save you records for serious listening and do digital for the secondary system.

+1 @mijostyn 

That was my first impression too 

@oregon Good to hear. Looking forward to an update. Pay no attention to the second system naysayers. 😉 Records are to be enjoyed!

Why on God's green earth would you need a turntable in a secondary system?

I have a secondary system that I have been using to play grade all my records and get them entered into the Discogs database.

It's no slouch.  The analog chain consists of Simaudio 600i, Harbeth P3ESR, Power Sound Audio S1500 subwoofer, Manley Chinook phono stage, JVC QL-Y66F table with an inexpensive Denon DL-301 MK2 cartridge.  

Why limit yourself to one system?

To the OP, as long as the cartridge is made well and set up properly you shouldn't damage your records.  

And here I am with two turntables in my primary system, both the same, and just so I can have two different cartridges on the go!

Gosh I have 2 turntables in my reference system and 1 in my secondary.

Thinking of getting one for the the system in the pool house. Not as nice as it sounds it is really just a shed, pool house sounds cooler. 

Dudes, Dudettes ( not Dudiens, I had a girlfriend who actually researched the subject),

 I tried to make it clear and simple- would a cheap cartridge that is properly set up and stylus is in good condition, damage a record?

 But, then the "why on earthers" and the "of coursers" chime in with extracurricular views (which is OK and sort of cute. It's all done in good faith and I love ya'll).

To answer the question about "why on earth"? It's no bg deal. Lots of crazy people on earth have two of everything- 2 cars, 2 opinions, 2 arms, 2 speakers... Ain't no big thang. 

 Yes, I do have digital sources, actually, 2 of them!

But, when my wife say's she'd like to hear such and such an LP, I jump. So, I'll set up my Lenco in the living room which is her favorite because I rebuilt it and it's purrddee. And of course, that's my opening for getting ANOTHER turntable and speakers and...

 Anyway, thanks guys and gals for reconfirming to me that I was correct in my thinking (I'd love to have 2 brains because I doubt the one I have is working properly), the cart won't damage my favorite Lawrence Welk collection as long as it's a cartridge in good standing.

 Thank you. Thank you. And thank you.

Dear @oregon   : Ovbiously no cartridge can damage  LPs if that cartridge is in good overall condition and playing under good cartridge/tonearm alignment and good cartridge parameters set up. So, don't worry about your Pearl cartridge.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

@oregon 

Thanks for the answer to the question, "Why on earth" It sounded like a system dedicated to casual listening by the household. I always listen to digital when casual listening is involved mostly because it doesn't interrupt my work, etc. But every family has their own lifestyle and so be it. For those who believed I was against a second system I'll remind you that I have 3 systems. More if you count boom boxes and computer systems. So I am not against multiple systems