My silly response: It all depends on the cartridge. I sold a Linn LP12 with a Monster Alpha Genesis 1000 MC to a friend of mine years ago and he is still using it, I know that cartridge very well and it is still hanging on. The thing has got to be 8 years old by now. I also owned a Linn K-9 that only lasted me around 1000 hrs, I put it in a shelf for around 6 months and tried using it again only to find the suspension got hard (gave it to another friend so that she -yes a FEMALE audiophile- could re-tip it and use it).
What is the life span of a phono cartridge?
I have recently just gotten back into analog, having purchased a Basis 1400, with a RB 300 arm, and a NEW Benz Micro Glider II cartridge. (It sounds very nice, although I realise it is not the ultimate in analog, but it is at least one step above entry level).
I assume the life span is at least a few hundred hours, but is that 300 or 900? Also, how long before the cartridge starts to degrade? What are the first signs that the cartridge is starting to go?
Any help or thoughts you have would be appreciated.
Thanks!!