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The ever lasting diamond stylus...is it a myth or??

We all believe that a stylus has a certain life...perhaps on the order of several thousand hours. However, it occurs to me that if a stylus is used exclusively on new and/or pristine and clean vinyl and that the various parameters of set up are always maintained correctly; that it would/could be reasonable to expect the diamond to last almost indefinitely! The wear and tear of the groove against the diamond, particularly if the friction on the stone is minimized should allow an immense life. The other components of the cartridge can- and will, age far before the diamond shape is lost....due to the aging of the rubber and other soft components in the motor...BUT the diamond....I think perhaps not....thoughts???
128x128daveyf

Showing 2 responses by daveyf

daveyf's avatar
daveyf OP
2,835 posts
 
Interesting, you know this for sure....and given my parameters posted above. Or, is this just supposition?? How have you 'looked into the horses mouth'? 

Years ago, I looked through a microscope of a stylus that was supposedly worn out, I had no idea as to whether the facets on the diamond were in fact correct or not...the dealer told me they were worn. 
What does a worn out diamond stylus look like? ( a shibata shape or a micro ridge or an elliptical?)  Are the diamonds that are attached to our cantilevers that accurately reproduced? Would like to know how they are produced with such accuracy... inquiring minds etc.,

daveyf's avatar
daveyf OP
2,835 posts
 
There is absolutely no doubt that if the groove is very dirty and has hard deposits...that through time the diamond can become a little worn or possibly damaged.( as to the shape). However, as in my OP, I am thinking that today there really is no need to have a dirty and dusty LP. Plus there are several lubricants that can be applied both to the LP and to the diamond stylus to reduce friction,,,,,,leading to my OP.
czarivey......a ’diamond tip worn out to the base of the cantilever, they just wear like a pensil ( sic) ’ I really would like to know what kind of use this cartridge was put to????
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