How do tell when my stylus is too much worn?


I have had my MC cartridge for about 5 years. I haven't kept a proper log but I would guess about 7-800 hrs. How can I tell BY LISTENING that it is worn enough to replace or retip? Does it get edgy or shrill or....?
I suspect that the change would be so gradual that it might be hard to tell, as the ear slowly accomodates.
Of course I should remove the cartridge and view under a microscope but un mounting and remounting is a perilous business that I would like to avoid.


rrm

Showing 1 response by inna

Records are sometimes much more valuable than bloody needle, and if that's the priority one should disregard figures of thousands of hours and replace earlier. 500-600 hours is of course very conservative but why not? I would stay under 1000 hours, anyway.