>A worn needle, on a single play, can shave the vinyl.
>Looking at a groove you can see even under the best of circumstances,
>that a needle has a rough ride.
>
> http://www.up.ac.za/academic/electron/phono.htm

Maybe this Laser Turntable will be affordable some day and solve the
problem:

   http://www.elpj.com/

   "The ELP Laser Turntable is unique in that it uses laser beams
   instead of a phono cartridge to play the traditional analog LP
   records.  When the LP record is well maintained, the ELP laser
   turntable can reproduce music that is at par with or better than
   the Compact Disc.  It is definitely one of the best analog LP
   sound reproduction systems that can pick up detail which cannot
   be traced even by the best phono cartridge."

I want one.

Rick