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Have cartridges been known to fail (Grado)?

The phono stages on McIntosh systems (2) are fine. I have a B&O turntable and it plays fine.
I tried brought my Garrard Lab80 and a Dual 1229 from my storage. They had the Grado DJ and Gold respectively. Both turntables worked fine before I stored them safely for a couple years. Hooked them back up and no sound, no hum, not a thing; so I’m wondering what happened. The cartridges were brought within a couple months of each other about 8 years ago.  
I never had a cartridge die on me. Is there something wrong with the Grados?
I’d appreciate any feedback. Thanks.
tobaccoleafpie
chakster's avatar
chakster
2,482 posts
 
Nothing wrong with the Grado if the stylus is not destroyed, you can check cartridge coil with volt meter, most likely it’s your turntable cables if you have no signal (the cartridge is not connected to your phono preamp).
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
702 posts
 
Highly unlikely both carts would fail, check the rest of your chain and do the above and check with a multi-meter the continuity of the coils in the carts. 
that said the coil wire is very small think smaller then a hair, so if not stored in a clean dry environment they could degrade over time.  
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
I've had cartridges fail or seen them fail many times, as I put myself through college by servicing consumer electronics.
My Transfiguration Orpheus lost one channel for no reason- they replaced at no charge, a Grado lost a channel, again replaced at no charge, a Shure suddenly lost output in both channels because apparently the magnet shifted. That one was old and we just replaced it.
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