Unused phono cartridge

Nothing lasts forever, but I don't know the shelf life of a phono cartridge and I suspect that different brands and models have different shelf lives.

Do you ever intend to use them? If not, shelf-life really doesn't matter. ;-)

Good luck,
John Elison

RE: Unused phono cartridge, posted on December 14, 2014 at 16:02:21

tubewade
Audiophile

Posts: 195
Location: Central Oklahoma
Joined: February 8, 2008

If rubber materials are used in the suspension then these will change over a period of time. Some may get hard while others turn to goo. Better cartridges should have better materials that would last a long time but I can't say how long. I have some Shure styli from the early '80s that still work well but I've had some generic ones that deteriorated rather quickly. This question has caused me to wonder about the best way to store spare styli or cartridges for minimal deterioration. Humidity and changing temperatures are two of your enemies.

RE: Unused phono cartridge, posted on December 14, 2014 at 17:09:58
painter27 Audiophile Posts: 5057 Location: wi. Joined: January 7, 2003	& it begs the ?. What the hell did you buy them in the first place. ? Any way, there probably fine.

they are USELESS..., posted on December 14, 2014 at 20:48:59
hifitommy Audiophile Posts: 15387 Location: canyon country califiornia, orig from buffalo ny Joined: June 9, 2000	send them to me for quick disposal. ...regards...tr

RE: Unused phono cartridge, posted on December 14, 2014 at 23:13:14
henrybasstardo Audiophile Posts: 1690 Joined: June 25, 2003	Hey I am poor and building a turntable and could put one to use for you. I will report back how it sounds. May even buy you a case of beer. Thanks

My experience, posted on December 15, 2014 at 11:24:21
Alex F. Audiophile Posts: 877 Location: Florida Joined: February 29, 2004	I have Stanton, Shure, and ADC MM cartridges from the 1970s that are fine. Also, a Dynavector MC and Grado Signature MM from about 1982. No apparent deterioration in tracking or sound. I use them on occasion for fun, especially the ADC XLM III. Your cartridges likely will be OK. If they are all the same model, try one.

RE: Unused phono cartridge, posted on December 15, 2014 at 12:42:17
middleground	With your cigars, but they will pick up an aroma.

Just purchased a NOS AT130e which sounds spectacularly good. Presume it's been sitting around for longer. , posted on December 15, 2014 at 13:19:41
jdaniel@jps.net	,

I've had good luck with an old Denon, posted on December 16, 2014 at 12:22:43

mr.bear
Audiophile

Posts: 4167
Joined: November 13, 2001

Right now I'm listening to a NOS DL-304 that I had coveted since I heard it in about 1982, or so. I bought it in unused condition on eBay, still in the original leather case. A high-quality unit from Denon. After almost 5 more years in my storage, I mounted it last year. It sounds great- no deterioration seems evident, to my ear. Nothing turned to stone or goo inside that cart, I'm sure.
My Dynavector XX was retipped (by Benz in Switzerland) a few year ago and at that time it did not require any rebuilding of the suspension etc.- just a diamond, that at age 20 or so. It sounds glorious.
That being said, I have only "my ear" and a 20-30 year-old memories to judge against, really. Keep in mind that phono cartridges incorporate HUNDREDS of design trade-offs from their inception and, as a result, acquire characteristic flavors. What I may be experiencing is flavors that have changed a bit with age, but still sound pretty great.

RE: Unused phono cartridge, posted on December 18, 2014 at 05:26:09

rindolini
Audiophile

Posts: 584
Location: Munich, Bavaria
Joined: August 9, 2007

MH: That depends quite a bit on the maker and model as well as on storage conditions. If the latter were ok (e.g. no exposure to direct sun light et cetera), many carts/needles will still be good, even if these already are 30 years and older. But there also are a couple of known problem candidates like for example the AKG MI models with "TS" suspension design or some of the Sonus models...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

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Unused phono cartridge

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