Shure M97 XE - Need some Help

[jay]

Hello I use Shure M97XE Cartridge for my SL1200 Technics Turntable.
Can someone please guide me after how many playing hours should I change the cartridge? Also does the cartridge need to be changed or only the stylus if changed will do?

Please help.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

You will need to change only the stylus. when to change the cartridge will depend on how you use the cart and the quality of your record and many other factors

 

[jay]

You will need to change only the stylus. when to change the cartridge will depend on how you use the cart and the quality of your record and many other factors

Thanks. After how many hours of playing should I change the stylus?

I generally play all good condition,near mint records.

 

[reubensm]

Hello I use Shure M97XE Cartridge for my SL1200 Technics Turntable.
Can someone please guide me after how many playing hours should I change the cartridge? Also does the cartridge need to be changed or only the stylus if changed will do?

Please help.

The cartridge is a permanent fixture, more like the frame and choke of your domestic tubelight. The frame and choke remain constant and you just keep replacing the tube when it wears out. Similarly, the cartridge remains while the stylus wears out after significant use. I would say, the wear depends on many factors but the primary ones are, condition of the records you play (and depending on how clean they are), the tracking force used (both vertical and anti-skate) and overall tonearm alignment. Also how you use your turntable is important. Whether you use a lift mechanism for cueing or you use a completely manual tonearm where you physically place the stylus on the record could be a factor. The stylus on a DJ turntable lasts about 1/4 the time of a stylus used for domestic listening. Also there are some external factors like the number of kids at home hyeah: It is common for kiddies to get their hands under the dust cover and bend the stylus cantilever

A cartridge can only get damaged if you are unlucky and get a defective one, or try to test it using incorrect methods or if it is physically damaged. However the more delicate moving coil cartridges may be even susceptible to climate changes.

All stylus manufacturers give an estimate on when you should change your stylus. However I would say, assuming all your records are clean (this means that you don't have to clean the stylus often as well) and the tonearm tracks at 1.5 gms with 1.5 to 2 gms of antiskate force, and you use the cueing lever for operating the tonearm, your stylus should give you seamless performance for roughly about 1500 hours (stylii do not depreciate over time but only during use, hence you can even use a stylus for 30 years if your usage/day is less).

 

[G401fan]

(stylii do not depreciate over time but only during use, hence you can even use a stylus for 30 years if your usage/day is less).

The rubber damper at the end of the cantilever will harden over time, depending on its composition and your local climatic conditions, affecting trackability, more so in case of lack of use.

 

[IndianEars]

I agree with most of the advice given above.

I would just like to add:

1. A Worn out Stylus will Sound poor....

Just like a worn out razor will give you a less comfortable shave.

2. A cartridge change is more often initiated when you want to upgrade to a better model or a different brand.

 

[reubensm]

also, to add to what IndianEars is saying,

these days, buying a replacement stylus is almost as expensive as buying the whole cartridge itself and hence it is common practice to replace the whole unit itself (cartridge + stylus)

however, not many are happy with some of the newer carts of brands like shure as they are not manufactured in the United States, but in Mexico (quality standards are not as good as what they used to be I guess)