The Hardest Naturally Occurring Substance on Earth

@uberwaltz   Check out the tread about "Two Turntables. Why?"  In that thread there are many folks who decide which turntable to play the LP on based on the condition of the LP.  Poorer quality LPs are played on more affordable turntables and cartridges.

@millercarbon Your post certainly progresses the context of this conversation.  NOT, again.

Some of you all know each other way to well

Do we need some marriage counseling here? If we get to the Jane Curtin-Chevy Chase banter, then I am definitely calling for a time out!  :)

So, the only way to check to see if one's stylus is at or nearing the end of life is to put in under a scope, correct?  Then if you have a turntable that doesn't have a removable head, in order to scope your stylus you need to remove the whole cartridge, correct?  Then, if you have to do that you need to re-install and re-calibrate your cartridge, which is time consuming (couple of hours or so), correct?  I can comfortably admit that I have a dickens of a time even seeing my stylus and cantilever reasonable well with the naked eye given my age related lenses.  Argh.  

Hi All,

The OP'er here.  I thought I would try to summarize what I have gained from this discussion, and from the most excellent links provided by a couple of folks.  It is been great reading, aside for the need of marital counseling.  Though growing up I learned you only give a hard time to those you like.  

(1) Yes, a stylus even though made of the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth does indeed wear.  "Flats" occur.  
(2) The stylus can wear out to the point it has a negative impact on the sound quality and the vinyl..
(3) The point at which a stylus reaches and unacceptable point in life is based on so many individual human, component, source and mechanical factors that it is very difficult to have a universal threshold (hours) that we can all reliable use, but frankly it is the most accessible to most of us.
(4) The status of your stylus is difficult to determine unless you put it under a high powered scope (which nearly none of us has) and given that many of us do not have removable cartridge heads it is a chore to do.
(5) Yes, indeed, water has the power to erode.  Having floated the Colorado through the Grand Canyon last year I can say that is is astonishing what Mother Nature can do, but my stylus will not last millennia so it is a moot point here.

So, where does this leave me?  In the same place I started but just more educated.  Thank goodness for a good audio dealer.  

Thanks for participating and keep your eyes out for the next Analog post which puts out there my latest pondering.