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Old 16th Dec 2023, 8:59 pm   #1
OldTechFan96
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Default NOS Cartridges: Buyer Beware

I was recently asked if I could fit a BSR SX6H to a Dansette Major (BSR UA8 fitted) so it could used with new records.

The cartridge is NOS and was bought some time ago for about £40. It looked pristine and had all of its push on connectors.

Once the cartridge was fitted I tested it with an old copy of 'With the Beatles'. Fidelity was very poor and muffled. I did not test the cartridge for long as it would mistrack and slide across the record. Slight adjustments of the VTF did not help things.

A few days later I decided I had nothing to lose by opening the cartridge and cleaning the internal contacts between the crystal element and the connector pins.

Once the cartridge was opened and stripped down, I could see how tarnished things were. The black deposits could only be shifted with Autosol on a cotton bud.

One of the connecting strips had a hairline crack in it and was repaired using a fine piece of wire.

When everything was clean the cartridge was put back together using superglue.

I connected the cartridge up to my oscilloscope and brushed a finger over the 'rabbit ears'. There was plenty of movement so I was happy the cartridge was still functional.

The next big test will be to reinstall the cartridge back into the Dansette. I will do this in a few days time.

I have attached some photographs which show how bad things were.

To me, this illustrates how much of a gamble NOS cartridges can be!
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Old 16th Dec 2023, 9:25 pm   #2
af024
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Default Re: NOS Cartridges: Buyer Beware

I suppose another issue might be a stiffening of the rabbit ears. Fingers crossed after all you efforts though eh!
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Old 16th Dec 2023, 9:47 pm   #3
kirstyd
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Default Re: NOS Cartridges: Buyer Beware

i have repaired loads of these .Its a fiddly job but well worth the effort
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Old 17th Dec 2023, 9:53 am   #4
stevehertz
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Default Re: NOS Cartridges: Buyer Beware

I wouldn't have had a clue that the internals of a cartridge were accessible, in such a bad state, and finally, repairable! Thanks for the info.
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Old 17th Dec 2023, 9:56 am   #5
John10b
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Default Re: NOS Cartridges: Buyer Beware

Thanks for including some pictures, they help to highlight the problem.
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Old 17th Dec 2023, 9:58 am   #6
Edward Huggins
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Default Re: NOS Cartridges: Buyer Beware

I never been brave enough to attempt this procedure!
BTW, the BSR SX6H will only give a modest performance in a Dansette "Major" at best.
It does not provide enough mV output, especially on LPs.
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Old 17th Dec 2023, 10:24 am   #7
ben
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Default Re: NOS Cartridges: Buyer Beware

I have done a few refurbs of these x5 /x6 carts with mixed results. Even after cleaning the contacts, I've often had a dead channel on the stereo ones or no output on the monos. So as you say a gamble.
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Old 4th Jan 2024, 6:10 pm   #8
OldTechFan96
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Default Re: NOS Cartridges: Buyer Beware

I was able to fit the 'repaired' BSR SX6H to the Major recently.

Despite the effort involved sorting the cartridge, the repair was unsuccessful. The quality of the playback was low, muffled and generally poor. Interestingly, the mistracking did not come back.

A used but known good cartridge was fitted and all is now well with the Major.

If you are in a position to buy a NOS cartridge at a high price, it would be worth knowing whether you can get a refund etc. if the cartridge turns out to be a dud.

This has not put me off trying to repair old carts as I've had more successes than failures.
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Old 4th Jan 2024, 6:35 pm   #9
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Default Re: NOS Cartridges: Buyer Beware

Wise words there. Agree totally.
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