Alba record player model ID - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Edward Huggins · 15th Aug 2020, 1:17 pm

I own up to falling foul of this confusion. Those few BSR X1Hs I have encounted were all fitted with the (low-compliance) ST8 flipunder, plastic shanked, stylus which is a LPS/78 type.

ms660 · 15th Aug 2020, 1:25 pm

RH column:

https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/ID...arch=%22x1h%22

Make of it what you will.

Lawrence.

Techman · 15th Aug 2020, 1:30 pm

Thank you Lawrence.

Clearly states "LATEST B.S.R. X1H MONO COMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE".

Myself and Edward rest our cases!

jon_the_id · 15th Aug 2020, 2:21 pm

Well this is all jolly good fun!

Please have a look at the attached pic. It raises some interesting points I think.

1) The BSR X3M (which we all agree is stereo compatible) was previously known as the X1M-HVC. HVC I think has to stand for 'high vertical compliance' - which implies that the original X1M did not have high vertical compliance and was thus not stereo compatible.

2) Have a close look at the 'notes on styli' on the lower part of the picture. ST5 and ST6 are both listed as LP/78 and NOT stereo, whereas all the other styli are listed as stereo. Thus BSR carts using flip-over needles are not necessarily engineered to use on stereo records by default.

Anyway, I know the X5H is definitely a safe option for this unit and will work, so I am happy with that choice.

Cheers,
Jon

ms660 · 15th Aug 2020, 2:56 pm

Can't find any other ref. for the X1M-HVC so far, I would have thought there would have been one in the WW, PW ads.

Anyways I found this...again make of it what you will, I'm just the messenger:

https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/ID...arch=%22x1m%22

Lawrence.

david freeman · 15th Aug 2020, 4:17 pm

At the risk of repeating myself 3 times, the BSR X1M and H cartridges were introduced by BSR in June 1965, at the Radio and Electronics Component Show.
This can be "verified" by the Wireless World magazine for that date!
In 1965, there were no stereo compatible cartridges made by any manufacturer!
The first stereo compatible BSR cartridge was the X3 series.

Techman · 15th Aug 2020, 7:57 pm

Post #23 - the information in the link clearly states that the cartridge is compatible.

David Freeman - I'm sorry, but you're wrong.

This type of cartridge was designed to be compatible with stereo records, but reproduce in mono.

The construction of the cartridge clearly indicates that it's of the stereo compatible type.

We've always known that the 'high output' type have less compliance - they have to have to 'crack' that crystal to get the required higher voltage output - it mentions that in the second link.

teetoon · 17th Aug 2020, 3:23 am

Relevant images and info.

jon_the_id · 17th Aug 2020, 10:24 am

Of note regarding the above information is that both scans come from the same issue of "Points on Pickups". The X1H is described as 'mono use' and the X3H is 'mono, stereo compatible' , once again demonstrating that the X1H is a mono use only cartridge and is not stereo compatible.

Techman it is you that is wrong!

Mods can you please close this thread (I was the OP) as I have all the information regarding the ALBA unit that I need, and the thread has turned into an argument about the X1H.

Thanks, Jonathan.

15th Aug 2020, 1:17 pm	#21
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Alba record player model ID I own up to falling foul of this confusion. Those few BSR X1Hs I have encounted were all fitted with the (low-compliance) ST8 flipunder, plastic shanked, stylus which is a LPS/78 type. __________________ Edward.

15th Aug 2020, 1:25 pm	#22
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Alba record player model ID RH column: https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/ID...arch=%22x1h%22 Make of it what you will. Lawrence.

15th Aug 2020, 2:21 pm	#24
jon_the_id Pentode Join Date: May 2007 Location: London, UK. Posts: 144	Re: Alba record player model ID Well this is all jolly good fun! Please have a look at the attached pic. It raises some interesting points I think. 1) The BSR X3M (which we all agree is stereo compatible) was previously known as the X1M-HVC. HVC I think has to stand for 'high vertical compliance' - which implies that the original X1M did not have high vertical compliance and was thus not stereo compatible. 2) Have a close look at the 'notes on styli' on the lower part of the picture. ST5 and ST6 are both listed as LP/78 and NOT stereo, whereas all the other styli are listed as stereo. Thus BSR carts using flip-over needles are not necessarily engineered to use on stereo records by default. Anyway, I know the X5H is definitely a safe option for this unit and will work, so I am happy with that choice. Cheers, Jon Attached Thumbnails

15th Aug 2020, 2:56 pm	#25
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Alba record player model ID Can't find any other ref. for the X1M-HVC so far, I would have thought there would have been one in the WW, PW ads. Anyways I found this...again make of it what you will, I'm just the messenger: https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/ID...arch=%22x1m%22 Lawrence.

15th Aug 2020, 4:17 pm	#26
david freeman Hexode Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 262	Re: Alba record player model ID At the risk of repeating myself 3 times, the BSR X1M and H cartridges were introduced by BSR in June 1965, at the Radio and Electronics Component Show. This can be "verified" by the Wireless World magazine for that date! In 1965, there were no stereo compatible cartridges made by any manufacturer! The first stereo compatible BSR cartridge was the X3 series.

15th Aug 2020, 1:30 pm	#23
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: Alba record player model ID Thank you Lawrence. Clearly states "LATEST B.S.R. X1H MONO COMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE". Myself and Edward rest our cases!

15th Aug 2020, 7:57 pm	#27
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: Alba record player model ID Post #23 - the information in the link clearly states that the cartridge is compatible. David Freeman - I'm sorry, but you're wrong. This type of cartridge was designed to be compatible with stereo records, but reproduce in mono. The construction of the cartridge clearly indicates that it's of the stereo compatible type. We've always known that the 'high output' type have less compliance - they have to have to 'crack' that crystal to get the required higher voltage output - it mentions that in the second link.

17th Aug 2020, 3:23 am	#28
teetoon Heptode Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Barnstaple, N.Devon, UK. Posts: 557	Re: Alba record player model ID Relevant images and info. Attached Thumbnails

17th Aug 2020, 10:24 am	#29
jon_the_id Pentode Join Date: May 2007 Location: London, UK. Posts: 144	Re: Alba record player model ID Of note regarding the above information is that both scans come from the same issue of "Points on Pickups". The X1H is described as 'mono use' and the X3H is 'mono, stereo compatible' , once again demonstrating that the X1H is a mono use only cartridge and is not stereo compatible. Techman it is you that is wrong! Mods can you please close this thread (I was the OP) as I have all the information regarding the ALBA unit that I need, and the thread has turned into an argument about the X1H. Thanks, Jonathan.