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Need advice about when/if to replace stylus

Just a little more food for thought, your records when played heat up to extremes where the diamond contacts the grooves, and the walls expand, then contract afterwards. That's why it's recommended for records to get a break from being played, so they can go back into shape. Each time you play a record, the diamond also heats up to extreme temps, so over time, it will change the surface's shape. And you will also get microscopic amounts of dirt,grease,grime,and dust particles that will attach themselves to the record grooves and melt to the walls,and the diamond. More of a layman's termed reply as well.
 
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These [stylus timers] come up on ebay once in a while. One thousand hours and easily reset. Runs on a button battery. Also sold under 'Stanton' name.
BTW, at the moment, I am using a V15 III with original stylus .Has over 1,500 hours and still sounds GREAT .
 
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Under the clear window is sealed glass capillary tube with mercury. When your tonearm is off that black-colored mushroom, the battery circuit is completed and a little bubble in the glass tube travels up the tube.
I got mine NOS, but even if you get a used one, as long as the kit is all there, and the button battery had not been installed 30 years ago and leaked, you will be fine. No matter where the bubble in the capillary is, you can still use it, as the scale behind it can be moved and the capillary tube itself can be reversed..
 
Interesting. I did a search on such devices and came up with nothing, anywhere. Seems to be a very scarce device, which in turn makes me wonder how important stylus play time really is in the grand scheme of things. I would think that if it's indeed as critical as some say, wouldn't the vinyl industry have rushed to the market with all kinds of gizmos that keep track of playing time?
 
I saw an old Stanton 'table with one of these factory built-in.
Lots of things cut into stylus life. Quality and type of diamond, grain orientation , quality of initial polish, accuracy of anti-skate, tracking force, cleanliness of records, arm bearing friction, etc....
I have seen Van den Hull claim 3,000 hours for some of their styli, which 50% higher than than the best claims made by Shure.
 
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