Rega P25 w/orig Exact Cart - good? + mV question


Hi everyone, this is my first post and I'm getting the vinyl bug for some reason. So, I found a Rega P25 that has the original Rega Exact cartridge on it from 2001. The problem is that it's an estate situation and no one who is alive knows anything about the turntable, it's use, hours, etc. Obviously the remaining life on the cartridge would affect the value of the item.

How can I possibly tell if the cartridge still has a lot of life left on it or not? The turntable works, plays, and sounds great today and looks like it's been very well cared for.

And, what would you guys be willing to pay for a Rega P25 with an Exact cartridge on it, not knowing anything about the cartridge?

Also, I've been reading about different cartridges having different mV outputs, and so that raises another question. For now, this deck, if I buy it, would be going into a Yamaha RX-V3800 which has a 3.5mV input sensitivity spec and a 60mV maximum input voltage spec. Is this cartridge a good match for my receiver?

Thanks!
smhyde
Smhyde - at this point I wouldn't worry about it too much. Try a couple different things, just listen casually. If you can't easily tell the difference, just pick what looks best and focus your energy on cartridge setup. : )
I agree with Goatwuss. Actually I agree just because I like his handle. I wish that I had thought of that one.

I did pick up my P25 this afternoon. Took about 30 minutes to unpack it, get the 2MM spacer on the arm, clean it up, mount my Shure V15Vmr and get playing. I think that you will be very, very happy. I am.

Sure, I have other, more ambitious, cartridges to try, but I'm in no hurry. The Rega organizes the music like one of those crazy ladies on the cable shows organizes houses, only it doesn't insult you in the process.
So far I'm very happy. Took me a little longer to get mine set up because I had to fish some wires, but I'm very happy so far. I think I put 6 hours on it today! Broke out a wide variety of stuff I hadn't heard in years. Elvis, Al Hirt, Spyro Gyra, Herb Alpert, Stan Getz... I'm lucky to live near one of the greatest record stores around, so I think I'll be spending some time there soon.