No way is that right in the mind of the average vinyl user.

I think that Nagaoka is such a straight forward audiophile company that also happens to be one of the foremost industrial metal corps. in Japan. I think they are giving you specs from the latter stand point. I think that all styli (spelling?) begin at that stage to deteriorate, it's just that all other companies tell you when the deterioration ends, not begins. Nagaoka is straight up: 300 hours is really the end of their warranty and the beginning of your careful treatment for longevity. If it is not 100% till the 300th hour then they have a manufacturing defect.

I would say that it at least has 700 - 1000 hrs with normal 1.5 - 1.8 tracking force. Remember Nagaoka is really a metal company that happens to make a lot of parts for other people, they have never needed to "upsell".

I am still jealous of your silky purple player.

-Chrome