How many plays can you get out of a good record?


I haven't seen this question posed in the Audiogon forums, but I have seen many answers on generic audio sites, that say a record can be expected to last for "hundreds" of plays before any sonic degradation is noted, if well cared for. 

I'm wondering if they might last even longer with modern audiophile styli / styluses, which track at around 1.8 grams.  Does anyone have any real experience or knowledge about the longevity of records in such a scenario?  (If records only last 100-200 plays before some degradation, then this means that playing a record once a week could be at least partially deteriorated in two to four years, which is a real shame.)  

drbond

Showing 4 responses by drbond

@secretguy 

Your "cringing at 1.8g" meaning that historically you used MM cartridges that tracked at less than 1g, and 1.8g is so heavy, or that in the past you used 3g 1980's cartridge tracking, and 1.8g is too light, leading to skips, etc.? 

@erik_squires 

Aye, now I understand:  Macbeth must've ruined his LP's using an old stylus, prompting this soliloquy!

"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."

@cey 

Yes, one answer to the question "how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?", but perhaps the answer to my question is the same; however, there were good suggestions about record and stylus preservation materials from Last that I will probably use on a few LP's.  I already use the Last Stylus cleaner, and Last Stylus treatment, but from now on I plan on using them more often, as opposed to just once a week, or so.