Do you buy used carts/needles? Is it risky?

I did some years ago. No issues ever.

My first AT OC9 was a used cart which I bought from a reputable audio dealer in the late 90’s. It probably had less than 100 hours on it., it sounded great.

Still have it, it was superseded by an OC9ML, and a few years ago by an AT 33PTG/II .

 

thecarpathian

5,963 posts

04-21-2026 at 08:29am 

No I do not buy used cartridges. The only person I would buy a used cartridge from is me. 

@audphile1 ,

If you pay by check, do you wait for it to clear before you give it to you??
 

I discuss the probability for fraud with me, myself and I. 
 

@corelli 

I don’t have or want dozens, I am done for a long time, 8 I think (2 mono), and I rotate them for fun, for friends who want to hear them. I changed my tonearms to 3 removable headshells, I sleep better.

How many hours? It’s really ’how much wear?’, because tracking weight effects wear, combined with hours of play.

I’m lucky, I take mine to VAS, only 35 mins south, and they check them for me on their microscope, even clean them while viewing, down into the cavity of the suspension. So far all good.

Having VAS in my back pocket so to speak, makes it easier for me to try used cartridges, as well as PLAN re-builds.

@daveteauk 

’Otherwise Unobtainable’ is why I buy uses styluses, or used cartridges with used stylus, and take a chance on NOS Stylus (because you never know for sure).

Some sellers, you learn to both trust and recommend to others.

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Light Tracking is also important to me, many older cartridges track at 1.25 gm, many new ones track at 2.0 gms.(that’s 3/5th’s, 60% more). The stylus last longer, the grooves a bit less wear, and,

consider anti-skate: it’s tricky, suppose you are off 50%. at 1.25 gm, that’s 0.62 gms too much or too little. At 2,0 gm, that’s 1.0 gm too much or too little.

That’s 40% more wear on one side or the other.

Not exact science, but in concept, I believe light tracking is a worthwhile characteristic, giving me longer life out of my new or used styluses.

btw

Buying used MM, especially ones whereby a new replacement stylus is obtainable is ’safer’ than buying used MC.

i.e. Jico makes many styluses for MM bodies

https://www.jico-stylus.com/shop/

Audio Technica, they have a list of currently available stylus that fit discontinued cartridge bodies

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-eu/support/which-stylus-can-i-use-to-replace-my-discontinued-model

My vintage AT160ML, when it’s stylus is worn, possibly VAS can put a new stylus, however, beryllium shatters if you look sideways at it, sooo at least I can buy a new VMN stylus, 3 VMNx varieties of stylus on boron rod. 

Note: both Jico, and AT list slightly higher tracking forces for those substitutes (add 0.25 gm), and your channel balance and separation might be altered a speck.