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Vintage Audio (record players, hi-fi etc) Amplifiers, speakers, gramophones and other audio equipment. |
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6th Aug 2022, 5:12 pm | #1 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
Posts: 69
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1950's HMV crystal cartridges
I have a pair of HMV cartridges for a turntable used in an early 1950's radiogram. There is one for micro groove records and a separate one for 78's. Both are dead and I wondered if anyone had any idea what kind of level of output these would have originally given out - low, medium or high? I have taken both out of their head shells to look for any markings and there are none what so ever.
I am looking to find a modern replacement but have no idea what to look for unless I can get some idea as to what the originals carts gave out. Does anyone know if these would of been considered reliable cartridges and I am just unlucky if having a pair with no output or are most of this type dead by now? I am wondering if it is trying to find working original examples as I plan on only playing 78's and mono LPs on the radiogram. I have attached some pictures of the cartridges I have. Any help would be gratefully received. Last edited by Phonosandradios; 6th Aug 2022 at 5:17 pm. |
6th Aug 2022, 5:56 pm | #2 |
Octode
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Stevenage, Herts. UK.
Posts: 1,518
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Re: 1950's HMV crystal cartridges
They appear to be EMI CP10186 according to 'Points on Pickups'. Apparently when they started failing a mod kit was available using a ceramic Sonotone 2T. Now the 2T is rated at 180mV so roughly twice a modern Chinese job. However this doesn't mean that the Sonotone was the same sensitivity as the EMI. It's quite likely the EMI was crystal hence why it's failed. Best way forward is probably to have a play with a Chinese red/black, they're cheap enough.
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7th Aug 2022, 8:47 am | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,335
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Re: 1950's HMV crystal cartridges
It's likely that those original Crystal EMI cartridges would have given a slightly higher output that a Sonotone 2T. If the Radiogram has a standard triode and pentode (2 stage) amplifier, then a cartridge giving around 250mV output would be adequate e.g. A BSR X5M. However, if as looks likely, only Mono LPs are only ever to be played, then use a BSR (Clone) M TC8.
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Edward. |
7th Aug 2022, 11:30 am | #4 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
Posts: 69
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Re: 1950's HMV crystal cartridges
Thanks for that input as that gives me a place to start and some suggestions to try.
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7th Aug 2022, 3:40 pm | #5 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 3,763
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Re: 1950's HMV crystal cartridges
Quote:
Barry |
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7th Aug 2022, 3:59 pm | #6 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
Posts: 69
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Re: 1950's HMV crystal cartridges
An X5M has been sourced and is on its way. The cart doesn't come with any mount so once it arrives I will have a look through my spare parts to see if I have something appropriate. If I don't then I'll probably put an ad in the wanted section to see if I can source something.
Last edited by Phonosandradios; 7th Aug 2022 at 4:22 pm. |
8th Aug 2022, 2:48 pm | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK
Posts: 7,498
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Re: 1950's HMV crystal cartridges
Those carts were used in the RCA 45EY2 players, I have one. I think there was someone in the USA rebuilding them, will try and find the link. Meanwhile, can anyone recall the exact model number or reference of these crystal carts?
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Regards, Ben. |
8th Aug 2022, 5:11 pm | #8 |
Octode
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK.
Posts: 1,906
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Re: 1950's HMV crystal cartridges
The cartridges seem to have been made by EMI and are type EM1.
The deck was made by Plessey. A slightly later model had a one piece arm with a rocking cartridge made by Acos. |
8th Aug 2022, 5:24 pm | #9 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
Posts: 69
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Re: 1950's HMV crystal cartridges
Ah, I had forgotten about west tech services if that is who you mean. I might get in contact with them to see if they would rebuild these and if so I might "modernise" the LP one myself but get them to rebuild the 78 one.
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15th Aug 2022, 1:37 pm | #10 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
Posts: 69
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Re: 1950's HMV crystal cartridges
Out of curiosity - I have just noticed that the dead LP cartridge that I took out of its head shell does have the remnants of a yellow dot on the rear part where the connectors go. Does anyone know whether this have any significance?
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