Lifespan of a Benz Micro MC Silver cartridge?


Mine has just died, and my dealer tells me they're only meant to last 3-5 years. Is this true? Is this typical of all moving coil cartridges?
ddoneff
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Aw, jeez, I-I-I-I just hate when that happens, too. Kinda like pokin' your ear with an, um, um, an

"an ice pick?"

yeah, an ice pick. I HATE when I do that.
Ooooh! I just hate it when I break a cantilever! Luckily, I never did it on anything expensive, yet.
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Yes, line contact styli such as VDH will last longer than the conical or regular elliptical, due to the shape. I guess that I change my cartridges a little sooner than Marty does.
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3 to 5 years is a long time for any cartridge. If you want to count hours, the usual time for replacement would come around 800 to 1000 hours of play. This varies greatly depending on the condition of the records you play, and if they have dirt on them. It could be good even out to 1600 hours, if well taken care of. Even if you don't play the cartridge alot, after 5 years, the rubber donut that is part of the suspension usually gets hard, and is not sounding the same as when new. This is why even a NIB cartridge that is over 5 years old is questionable as to its performance levels. Shelf life of the rubber.