I have an old belt driven TT bought about 1980 which has its original Ortofon cart (don't remember the model number). I want to reconnect the TT to my system over the Christmas hols and resurrect my still extensive vinyle collection, and perhaps start transferring to CD. I already bought a replacement belt, and had the stylus checked.

My question. Does any one know how cartridges age? Is there anything in the mechanism which is likely to stiffen up or get loose? Will it still perform the same as when I bought it, or should I be looking for a new one? Its a moving magnet type.

Advice would be much appreciated.