What is the life span of a phono cartridge?

Does any know about the suspension drying up?

My understanding is that a cartridge will go bad even if you do not play it because the suspension gets brittle and the stylus can even fall out.

Can anyone elaborate? I was thinking after 2 or 3 years they go bad by themselves, does that sound right?

The suspension drying was the thought on my mind when I talked about cartridges aging poorly. I've heard that older cartridges did have a real problem after a while (some even said a cartridge was only good for a year.) But, the materials used have been improved--or so they say. (Famous last words!)

If your table and arm are set up correctly and your vinyl is properly cleaned, 5,000 hours of life are not uncommon for good quality (Class B and above) cartridges. Forget the magnifing glass at home...not enough magnification. I use a high power stereo microscope availiable at work for inspection. I also agree with Adle...you will more than likely swap out before wear out.
Regards

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).

I forgot the name of the writer but he was one of the 2-3 most famous names in the stereophile business, who wrote, "I have never as yet [in my audiophile career]wore out a cartridge" I think that the 1000 hours that the manufacturers give, is an arbitrary figure to cover abuse, dirty records and other unsavory conditions.