Should the Tone Arm be Removed When Installing Cartridge?

I own a Linn and am well aware of the Linn-advised paranoia about stressing or damaging the bearings. I supposed one *could* exert enough force on the bearings that they could be damaged, but - if one is careful and considers the kind of force exerted when mounting a cartridge on tonearm that is mounted on a record player - it should be easy to avoid. All it takes is care and thoughtfulness. I never remove my Ittok when replacing the cartridge. As others have mentioned, removing the arm and re-mounting it would be much more like to provide opportunities to damage the arm, the bearings or the cartridge. A little reasonable care is sufficient to avoid damaging the bearings... a review of some materials science suggests the strength of the steel used in the bearings should render it very difficult to damage the bearings - AS LONG AS ONE IS CAREFUL.

Exactly. This is after all a cartridge we are talking about. To the people so worried they think it a good idea to remove the arm, on the assumption I guess that you are too big a spaz to not break the arm, my question would be, You're too stupid and clumsy to mount a cartridge, but not to remove the arm AND mount a cartridge?

I guess according to Miller there would be 3 categories among us: audiophiles, sensible persons, and Linnies. We know the latter group are irredeemable.

Maybe more hopeless than irredeemable, but I get your drift.

millercarbon, I am not certain of your intended message. Are you disagreeing with me, in that you think the tonearm should be removed to install a cartridge? I've never ever even considered doing such a thing, but if I did, I would then be very worried about damaging the cantilever/stylus when re-installing the tonearm. That to me is even a greater opportunity for disaster.

Right.

The preferred method is Scotch tape the arm to the rest, install the stylus guard, remove the cart pins, remove the cart, and then install the new cart, etc. 

To remove the arm, move it around, and mount it, all with a cartridge installed is borderline insane. 

But that's why I say consider the source. The source without a doubt was an audiophile. No one else could even think up such nonsense. Normal people have way too much common sense. Only audiophiles have developed their keen obsession of overthinking everything to such levels of absurdity.

No. That is an accurate and legitimate reason to be careful.

Always remember, consider the source. In this case the source being audiophiles, by the time the day is out you will have them saying your whole neighborhood is at risk of imploding into a black hole if you try this without having the electric utility come disconnect power first, and even then only inside a Faraday cage installed within your Class 5 Clean Room three basement levels below the one in The Andromeda Strain.