LOMC; Life expectancy


Hi All.

What would you consider the "typical" useful life of a LOMC to be.

Would different brand/design and models within a brand, age at the same rate under similar circumstances. I understand that a poorly adjusted cartridge in a given tonearm will age prematurely.

IE: would an Ortofon A90 age quicker than an Anna. Lyra Atlas vs Titan.

I refer to life expectancy in terms of hours of play. In other words when a cartridge reaches 1500hrs of play it is time for a rebuild/re-tip.
1500hrs is an arbitrary number. It could be more or less. I am sure that i have read in one of Michael Fremer's columns that at 1500hrs it is pretty much the end of any LOMC cartridges. I believe the he was referring to his Titan i or his A90 or both.

I have an A90 mounted in a Phantom II since May 2010 which i would estimate its play life at 1500hrs. I also have a Dynavector XV1's that was re-tipped by Soundsmith around the same time i got the A90 but never played it although i have it mounted in another wand. Yesterday i decided to swap cartridges/wands and perform all the required initial adjustments using a Mint LP for overhang and zenith, digital microscope for VTA/SRA, Spectrum analyzer for azimuth, DFG for VTF, Wally skater for AS.

When i dropped the styli onto Duke Ellington Jazz Party in Stereo (45rpm) i was floored. The most detailed sounding cartridge i have heard. Did i hear the same when i first used the A90 in 2010? My guess is yes but last night when i played this record, the XV1's stomped the A90 is every possible ways. There was no contest.

However, i will re-install the A90 and perform all the adjustments again just to confirm my findings but it appears that the A90 may need a rebuild or re-tip. The saddest part i am now retired and will likely be unable to afford a complete rebuild so I will just enjoy my new found fame until it goes bust as the wheels of audio life keeps on turning.

smoffatt
Some of the worst sound I ever heard came from 100K + systems where the owner was trying to get more mileage out of his 5k+ MC Cart.
Better off buying a Nagoka MP-3oo and changing the stylus every year .
Thanks Lohanimal. I always use the arm lift and use the Cardas frequency sweep record regularly. Also, i use the magic eraser technique as part as my styli cleaning regiment.
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Apparently stylus wear is in fact very low. What in fact gets worn/damaged tends to be the cantilever. For this reason it is highly recommended that you use an arm lift - I do this religiously now.
I will also add that some theorise that cartridge treatment solutions creep up the cantilever and can damage the coils - therefore try the ultrasonic cleans on the cardas test record, and/or that stylus grunge cleaner that looks lie a bit of blue tack.
Mileage will vary based on lots of variables. Some stylus styles do wear faster based on stylus shape from what I have read. Also, I am a firm believer in clean records and I feel that has a big impact on life. I have an 8 yo airy3s that I used extensively before I got a UNIverse and looking under the microscope appears to have very little wear. It has close to 1500 hrs and still performs well.