How Ofter Do You Replace Your Stylus?

[Brownian Motion]

I think the primary reason I was ready to drop vinyl completely when CDs came along was because I couldn't handle the stress of worrying about my stylus. I probably changed styluses twice or three times as often as really needed, and I kept my tone arm ultra-light--lighter than was recommended, resulting in a loss of fidelity--and still I worried constantly that a worn stylus was tearing and gouging and slicing through my grooves.

Digital technology kept me from going mad, or at least slowed the process down.

[marcello]

When it starts sounding bad. Like now!

[mikeweil]

.... and I kept my tone arm ultra-light--lighter than was recommended, resulting in a loss of fidelity--

This procedure is not recommended - it wears out the grooves faster than when you are using the recommended tracking weight as the stylus vibrates in the groove much more than it should - and thus it results in higher stylus wear as well.

You can take a look at it with a small microscope when its new and check from time to time - but keeping a list of playing hours may be the simplest way to keep track of things.

[Jazz Kat]

I've had about 5 record players in my life. My most recent record player is a piece of shit. The band keeps falling off, and it slows down. I have to re-adjust the speed cordinator to get it right. Where the heck to you find needles? I havent had to change the stylus, but if I did, I'd probaly be screwed.