I want to replace my old cartridges on my players that are dead, I was going to try my hand at rebuilding them like Syl did on his site , but coming across crytal elements to use is harder than buying a modern replacment , what output voltage would you reconmend for the old dierect line inputs from the 30's and 40's? .5 volt on up? or no less than 1 volt?
Thanks
E.

Elton,
Provide part numbers which can be used to find output voltage(s) from old documents.

marv

:I want to replace my old cartridges on my players that are dead, I was going to try my hand at rebuilding them like Syl did on his site , but coming across crytal elements to use is harder than buying a modern replacment , what output voltage would you reconmend for the old dierect line inputs from the 30's and 40's? .5 volt on up? or no less than 1 volt?
:Thanks
:E.

Marv, don't have any part numbers , only model numbers of the units itself, and could find no info for the pick-ups 2 philcos 46-1201,48-1206, rca 7u, a admiral floor model no model # for it but is pre war set.
The RCA says it was a magnetic pick-up?? and so does one of the philco's . I did'nt know they used magnetic back then, but regardless the cartridges are gone, the RCA the original tone arm ( the big fat one) has been replaced by a more modern late 40's or early 50's so part number would not matter here. A friend of mine had a philco early 50's and took out the old turntable and installed a BSR , and bought a generic cartridge that claimed only 450mv output , but it sounded loud and clear, and it was a direct line to the 1st audio tube, so I figured I might do the same with my old players. I did find one of the old cartridges a astatic and the part# on it says 30-U
Thanks
E.

:Elton,

:Provide part numbers which can be used to find output voltage(s) from old documents.
:
:marv
:
:
::I want to replace my old cartridges on my players that are dead, I was going to try my hand at rebuilding them like Syl did on his site , but coming across crytal elements to use is harder than buying a modern replacment , what output voltage would you reconmend for the old dierect line inputs from the 30's and 40's? .5 volt on up? or no less than 1 volt?
::Thanks
::E.

Elton,
There are a few Forum contributors well versed in phono cartridges, but my experience totals 1 xtal cartridge, which I stripped of its internals and installed a modern ceramic. The best specs I found for the xtal part were nearly equal to the more modern ceramic. It plays well, with sufficient volume, although tracking force has never been measured. Give it some time, and the experienced contributors will make an offering.

marv

:Marv, don't have any part numbers , only model numbers of the units itself, and could find no info for the pick-ups 2 philcos 46-1201,48-1206, rca 7u, a admiral floor model no model # for it but is pre war set.
:The RCA says it was a magnetic pick-up?? and so does one of the philco's . I did'nt know they used magnetic back then, but regardless the cartridges are gone, the RCA the original tone arm ( the big fat one) has been replaced by a more modern late 40's or early 50's so part number would not matter here. A friend of mine had a philco early 50's and took out the old turntable and installed a BSR , and bought a generic cartridge that claimed only 450mv output , but it sounded loud and clear, and it was a direct line to the 1st audio tube, so I figured I might do the same with my old players. I did find one of the old cartridges a astatic and the part# on it says 30-U
:Thanks
:E.
:
:
::Elton,
:
::Provide part numbers which can be used to find output voltage(s) from old documents.
::
::marv
::
::
:::I want to replace my old cartridges on my players that are dead, I was going to try my hand at rebuilding them like Syl did on his site , but coming across crytal elements to use is harder than buying a modern replacment , what output voltage would you reconmend for the old dierect line inputs from the 30's and 40's? .5 volt on up? or no less than 1 volt?
:::Thanks
:::E.

I sent my dead cartridge to West-Tech services, though it was very old, probably pre-1940, but they got it fixed for $39 and now my octal Emerson record player works like a champ.
:Elton,
:There are a few Forum contributors well versed in phono cartridges, but my experience totals 1 xtal cartridge, which I stripped of its internals and installed a modern ceramic. The best specs I found for the xtal part were nearly equal to the more modern ceramic. It plays well, with sufficient volume, although tracking force has never been measured. Give it some time, and the experienced contributors will make an offering.
:
:marv
:
::Marv, don't have any part numbers , only model numbers of the units itself, and could find no info for the pick-ups 2 philcos 46-1201,48-1206, rca 7u, a admiral floor model no model # for it but is pre war set.
::The RCA says it was a magnetic pick-up?? and so does one of the philco's . I did'nt know they used magnetic back then, but regardless the cartridges are gone, the RCA the original tone arm ( the big fat one) has been replaced by a more modern late 40's or early 50's so part number would not matter here. A friend of mine had a philco early 50's and took out the old turntable and installed a BSR , and bought a generic cartridge that claimed only 450mv output , but it sounded loud and clear, and it was a direct line to the 1st audio tube, so I figured I might do the same with my old players. I did find one of the old cartridges a astatic and the part# on it says 30-U
::Thanks
::E.
::
::
:::Elton,
::
:::Provide part numbers which can be used to find output voltage(s) from old documents.
:::
:::marv
:::
:::
::::I want to replace my old cartridges on my players that are dead, I was going to try my hand at rebuilding them like Syl did on his site , but coming across crytal elements to use is harder than buying a modern replacment , what output voltage would you reconmend for the old dierect line inputs from the 30's and 40's? .5 volt on up? or no less than 1 volt?
::::Thanks
::::E.

Frank,
Thinking my old cartridge was still good, purchased a missing stylus from West-Tech. The old cartridge didn't work, so I gutted it and did quite extensive modifications with a new ceramic element, keeping the original stylus. Plays well, although not quite as loud as the radio.

marv

:I sent my dead cartridge to West-Tech services, though it was very old, probably pre-1940, but they got it fixed for $39 and now my octal Emerson record player works like a champ.
::Elton,
::There are a few Forum contributors well versed in phono cartridges, but my experience totals 1 xtal cartridge, which I stripped of its internals and installed a modern ceramic. The best specs I found for the xtal part were nearly equal to the more modern ceramic. It plays well, with sufficient volume, although tracking force has never been measured. Give it some time, and the experienced contributors will make an offering.
::
::marv
::
:::Marv, don't have any part numbers , only model numbers of the units itself, and could find no info for the pick-ups 2 philcos 46-1201,48-1206, rca 7u, a admiral floor model no model # for it but is pre war set.
:::The RCA says it was a magnetic pick-up?? and so does one of the philco's . I did'nt know they used magnetic back then, but regardless the cartridges are gone, the RCA the original tone arm ( the big fat one) has been replaced by a more modern late 40's or early 50's so part number would not matter here. A friend of mine had a philco early 50's and took out the old turntable and installed a BSR , and bought a generic cartridge that claimed only 450mv output , but it sounded loud and clear, and it was a direct line to the 1st audio tube, so I figured I might do the same with my old players. I did find one of the old cartridges a astatic and the part# on it says 30-U
:::Thanks
:::E.
:::
:::
::::Elton,
:::
::::Provide part numbers which can be used to find output voltage(s) from old documents.
::::
::::marv
::::
::::
:::::I want to replace my old cartridges on my players that are dead, I was going to try my hand at rebuilding them like Syl did on his site , but coming across crytal elements to use is harder than buying a modern replacment , what output voltage would you reconmend for the old dierect line inputs from the 30's and 40's? .5 volt on up? or no less than 1 volt?
:::::Thanks
:::::E.

:I want to replace my old cartridges on my players that are dead, I was going to try my hand at rebuilding them like Syl did on his site , but coming across crytal elements to use is harder than buying a modern replacment , what output voltage would you reconmend for the old dierect line inputs from the 30's and 40's? .5 volt on up? or no less than 1 volt?
:Thanks
:E.

Elton,

I would say there are 3 standard voltages. To better help you, I'd need cartridge's model numbers.

Voltages are : 0,75V, 1.5V and 3V. These 3 voltages will properly cover all your needs.

Post your cartridge's model numbers and I will post their output voltages.

I've read someone recommend modifying the tone arm and install a new substitute. My take on this; if you expect to play valuable record, get yourself a high quality TT, period. On the other hand, if you want to keep your TT original and play your records from time to time, rebuild or have rebuilt the originals.

Lightweight cartridges with heavy tone-arms, even if you add a spring, will still damage your records almost as fast as old cartridges. There is more than one factor related to record wear. When I have time, I'll will add data pertaining to this subject on my website.

Z-