I own 4 turntables and use two of them currently For a couple of hours a month between the two ... I’m good to go for a while lol !
Three of my turntables have new styluses and one of them (from the mid 80s) is original but the player was hardly used
Since we were all getting into CDs at the time....
Very useful info, you’d think I’d know this but I had no idea, that’s why I watch your channel I guess ! Thank you!
jpaleas
I was always aware of the "hours of use" concept but never bothered. So after 41 years I changed the stylus. Well as no surprise, everything sounded much nicer. Didn't change the cartridge because the specs on it were the equivalent of a $400 ensemble today....great channel separation and output. I guess I really did my homework well back then. And for the record, I was not using this as a primary table for about 25 -27 years.
FelixtheMetalcat
I've never known. They need a gauge like a tractor that shows hours of use
timgibson
I think it all depends on how clean the records are and the tracking force. I have an ultrasonic cleaner, a vacuum system, and a spin-clean. My records are immaculately clean, so I get about 2, 000 hours using a moving coil cartridge on a high compliance tonearm. I also have a Beogram TX that tracks under a gram, and that probably gets 3, 000-3500 hours per cartridge. My beater table uses a p-mount cartridge, I use this one for albums with a lot of surface noise and scratches. The p-mount gets 1, 500 to 2, 000 hours because it tracks around 1.1 grams.
michaelburke
This is another reason why I love @soundsmithcorporation. The cost to retip my Zephyr mimc star is only $350. I factored that into my buying decision. Whoever, I was pleasantly surprised with the sound with or without the retip price.
clintfarrell
The parks audio puffin has a “in use” counter for your table. Pretty nifty and useful for this reason. So far I’m at 500ish hours. Don’t seem to hear a difference yet. Current cart is the audio technica AT-155LC with the ATN150Sa replacement stylus.
AtariCentauri
My go to core bands.i own on cd and vinyl.so i play them mainly on cd.i play my random stuff on vinyl.but yeah.i need to change one of my cartridges.
wnerko
But it’s also a case of used records. If I play a record that’s very good or very good plus. People say it wears the needle down very quickly because of the small clicks and slight scratches (depending if it’s a G, VG or VG+) so in that case it’s not a topic about hours but the actual use and durability of it and that’s what I don’t know idk what to hear or look for when it’s time to replace my needle (mainly if I’m playing used records)
nationstationmusic
I usually have to upgrade mine at least twice a year. I'm going off of memory and it may not be the correct, full model number, but I use the AT-EN95 (and add in a few more letters) elliptical nude stylus and it reportedly lasts for 300 bhours before needing replacing. I know that's low compared to 1, 000 hours but it is an upgrade to the 1000 hour model number basic AT stylus. A few of them are 1000 hours and I'm not sure why the elliptical nude model is only 300 hours. But it's really getting too costly and I've probably spent more in the last 2 years on the complete cartridges then I've spent on the turntable. I really want to know why 300 hours is when that one wears down and I want to know how can I know positively it's time the whole stylus needs changing. Does it start sounding like snap crackle and pop joined the band or what is a dead giveaway? Being legally blind I really can't see anything letting me know there's an error with the needle. Turn on my Android stopwatch on my phone when I begin playing LPs each time and then I turn it off or put it in pause until the next time I'm playing records. I had to buy three styli last year within a year and I'm getting tired of paying that much at approximately $150 each time :-)
Bootradr
I have mostly CD's so my turntable stylus usage is somewhat limited which is a good thing.
If I listened to only vinyl I'd be buying a needle every 8-9 months which would be ridiculous.
For me that's the upside of the compact disc player, no stylus wearing down to worry about. One can just keep on spinning for years.
moonytheloony
Could you explain the rationale to changing out the cartridge too? ie I thought it was essentially a pick-up, so does it receive any wear and tear the way the actual stylus does?
tituschalk
I'm new to this.... At 42 years old i finally own a record player! I used to listen to vinyl back in the late 80s/early 90s but it wasnt mine. I love getting home from work and putting a record on, such a nice feeling :) I have a question though, when you talk about replacing the cartridge what do you mean and Can the stylus be replaced independently? Many thanks
JamesW
I’ve only had my Ortofon 2M Blue for five months and the stylus broke last night… Ordered a replacement. I listen to my expanding collection everyday (2-3 albums).
Gingerbeard
My turntable has a counter. According to it, 1200 sides. The 1200 are divided into 3 400 sections. After that there are some smaller marks if you want to push it to a max of 1600 sides.
chuckmaddison
Ho un giradischi Denon 31 L e una testina Stanton 681 EEE. Forse dovrei cambiare lo stilo ma a me sembra che il suono prodotto sia ancora buono dopo tanti anni.
adrianoamatucci
Hmm my stylus has 47 years … should I change it ?
Raul-ygoz
Please send help. I have no idea how to change a Philco P1441EB n-50 needle.
tonic
I have never changed my needle😂 mines an awa complete system have had it for 15 yrs and apparently it's probably like 40 yrs old
firefox-
I do it every 9 months. After 7-8 months it starts to sound dull. Reason why i do not buy anything more expencive then hana
Lutheruszh
I clean my stylus after every side, i only play clean vg+ or better records and haven't had a problem with my stylus after 6 yrs of daily use, sounds like the day i bought it.
Whatever the hrs are they're only a guide, if you play clean records and you maintain your stylus i would use my ears to determine when it needs changing.
Anyone getting rid of a stylus after a few hundred hours ill happily take them off your hands.
