Stylus/cantilever stiff and noisy--WARNING!

And I repeat what I wrote above, a cartridge is inherently microphonic, and hearing faint music from the cartridge is completely normal.  True, in some cases it is more audible than in other cases.  That may indeed have to do with cartridge compliance, but I think it also has to do with the other components in the chain and the recording itself.

Whether it’s the microphonics "assessment " or a light finger-pressure feel .... The suspension health problem remains: there is no other practical way to determine the compliance of the  suspension for the common tech, much less audiophile.  At least with the stylus tip, you can use a microscope. Or ohm out the cartridge coils. 

About noisy (microphonics) ... yes, the suspension physically feels stiffer compared to other similar models I have. Also,  sonics are poor and lower in volume. 

So I suppose a drop in measured output (voltmeter) may be a way to make the issue academic. Still need a test record with known test patterns. 

So you can estimate compliance by "feel"?  The specific issue you cited in your OP is a common phenomenon not necessarily related to aging of the suspension and more related to the inherent microphonics of any cartridge.  The cartridge takes physical motions and converts them into an electrical signal.  So do microphonic vacuum tubes.  And so do microphones.  Hence the term. And speakers take an electrical signal and use it to make air vibrate in tune to the music in the signal. Speakers are microphones in reverse. I wouldn’t "feel" the suspension of any cartridge for too long or too vigorously.  That could damage it if it was not already subpar.

Great post!  I've learned quite a bit from all the responses!  Thanks!

lewn wrote:

The specific issue you cited in your OP is a common phenomenon not necessarily related to aging of the suspension and more related to the inherent microphonics of any cartridge.  The cartridge takes physical motions and converts them into an electrical signal.  So do microphonic vacuum tubes.  And so do microphones. 

lewn, you ERRONEOUSLY used the term "microphonics" in your first reply, and maintain that error. I am also guilty of copying and pasting from that post. 

This is NOT really a microphonics issue. It is (roughly) a transduction issue, purely mechanical in nature and undesired consequences that occur.

Suspension rubber getting hard with age IS an issue, but, I have not experienced nor heard of this problem being manifested by increased needle chatter.  It is usually heard in the signal itself--mis-tracking, buzzing, etc.  

I suppose it doesn't hurt to try to revive the rubber by spraying something like WD40 if the cartridge is not a high priced item, but, I would never do this with any cartridge with a non user-replaceable stylus that is expensive.  There is no way to know how any chemical will react with any parts of the cartridge, particularly in the long term.