Re: WAV vs FLAC/ALAC: no need to re-rip, just uncompress in place if your experience is that the WAV container sounds better. From an engineering perspective this shouldn't matter, but I respect your experience. If it does matter I'd like to understand why.
DaveyF, will you elaborate a bit on the Onzow damaging cartridges? "Snag the cantilever" -> do you mean if one is inattentive and moves the platter or arm when the stylus is lowered?