TC8S alternatives

[Viscount]

looking for a replacement for a tc8s cartridge,would one of the chineese units be a good replacement ,what output are they ??i understand the tc8s is 800mv or is there another cart i could use ,dont want to spend a fortune

[toshiba tony]

The TC8 was a very high output cartridge and wrecks stereo records. I have, in the past, used other cartridges successfully, by building a simple one stage pre-amp. You can nearly always assume any such players will be valved, usually single stage. (UY85\UL84. And I have powered it from the cathode of the UL84.
I have heard it said the Chinese cartridges currently on offer are fine. As to whether the impedance and output is compatible with such amplifiers I don't know. But the single stage amplifiers I used to knock up were fine.

[John10b]

I have used the Chinese Red Black Cartridge in single valve amps, and they have worked fine, remember most don’t come with mounting brackets.
One of our forum members Phildil made some brackets a short while ago, however I’m not sure if he still does this.
John

[Viscount]

thanks john ,the record player im fitting it in is a bush srp31c wich uses 2 ucl83s,

[Edward Huggins]

Well, you don't need a high-output cartridge for your BUSH player. It was designed to be used with medium-output type only. (BTW a BSR TC8S cartridge does not give 800mv output.) Why not use a cheapo chinese? Ideally one supplied in a mount and with a flip-under cartridge. There are dirt cheap at around £12.00-14.00 and would match the UCL83 amplifier ewll.

[Edward Huggins]

I slipped into repeating the OP's typos! The amplifier in the Bush actually has 2 x ECL83s.

[Viscount]

thank for the info edward i will order one today

[Viscount]

just looking at these chineese cartridges and i see there are a couple of magnetic ones available,any advantage in using one for my srp31c,??or should i just stick to a standard type?

[Half a Mullard]

No, the output from the magnetic one will be too low for your player.

[Viscount]

yes i did wonder if that was the case many thanks for you input(excuse the pun)

[Ekcoman]

Chinese one fine and now available with mounts at around £12 on E-Bay.

[Techman]

Originally Posted by Half a Mullard

No, the output from the magnetic one will be too low for your player.

No actually - these are a new thing and if they're the Chinese ones that I was looking at a month or so back then they're a 'high output' magnetic type. It seems that no one has tried one out yet. I mentioned them in a post at the time and no body commented, so I presume that no one has yet tried one out or knows anything about them - who's going to be the first? They're under a tenner posted!

[wd40addict]

Surely if it's magnetic you would also need RIAA equalisation?

[Techman]

I don't know anything about these newly available high output magnetic cartridges, so was hoping someone would try one out - perhaps I should invest in one myself. By 'high output', from memory it's around the same level as a medium ceramic - I'll have to have a look on ebay and see if I can find a listing for one and check the specifications again. As previously said, normally magnetic cartridges are low output and low impedance and not at all suitable for the OP's requirements.

[Techman]

Originally Posted by John10b

I have used the Chinese Red Black Cartridge in single valve amps, and they have worked fine,

Surely not, John. They'll work, but won't be very loud. Are you sure you mean 'single' valve as in EL/UL84, or do you mean 'two in one' types, as in the triode/pentode types?

[Viscount]

ive been trying to find output details for the so called high output mag ones but no luck,

[Half a Mullard]

I'm currently in the process of restoring a SRP 31D which is the slightly later version using ECL86 valves but otherwise a very similar circuit.

I have fitted a medium output BSR SC 11M cartridge and am very pleased with the results. They are more expensive though. Given the price of the Chinese cartridges they must be worth trying at least.

[Viscount]

yes howard i will order one now and report back when fitted,thanks all for you advise

[John10b]

Good question Techman, I’ll have to check my notes, I can say it was a single valve, but could have been ECL82, I’ll get back when/ if I can find my old notes.
I should have made this clear in my original post.
John

[John10b]

Just checked my notes. I did fit the Chinese Cartridge to Amp with ECL82, it worked ok with acceptable level of volume on both 45s and LPs. I hope that clarifies it, I should have made this clear, sorry for any misunderstanding.
John