FYI. I have not used a dust cover since 1990. I probably have put over 2,500 hours on my Frog (known to do about 2x normal play time). Then about 500 hours on my Koetsu Rosewood. Never any problems. I do a quick cleaning of the record before playing each side. Once every few years I check the cartridge with a magnifier. I have never observed anything requiring action.
If I remember correctly typical cartridges are good for around 1,200 to 1,500 hours.
Also, I do not own a tube tester. I do keep a backup set of tubes for my tube components. I have had to do a little trouble shooting twice in the last ten years. I think it lasted 10 minutes. I replaced the tubes on one of the audio circuits… 4 tubes… that fixed the problem… then swapped in the old 4 tubes until the problem recurred. Done.
I have never had a problem with an optical sensor on my CD or SACD, or DVD player. Although I lived in the dust bowel… Tucson for 25 years.
Just a question of how you approach life. I’d rather be listening to music.