A novel way of mounting a BSR cartridge in a Garrard 2025TC

[Michael Maurice]

The Garrard 2025TC was usually supplied with a Sonotone 9TA cartridge. These cartridges have by now usually deteriorated and are no longer serviceable.

Up to a while ago I used to fit the ERC stereo cartridge, but these being New Old Stock have also deteriorated and most of them dont work well.

The only other cartridge that can fit these very narrow headshells is the BSR SC11 OR SC12. However these are mounted on a bracket which needs to be cut down and in most cases look very inelegant.

I have found a different and very tidy approach to the problem.

You will need a 6BA tap, a 6BA ½" grubscrew, a spacer and some cartridge tags.

The first job is to remove the arm from the turntable, disconnect the four wires, from the tag and pull the cable through, with the turntable the right way up, push the lever at the back to allow you to lift the pick up arm right up and remove the large screw which holds the pick up to the bracket.

With the arm off the deck, you can put the deck to one side.

If the cartridge is the 9TA, unclip it and remove the connector. Unsolder the four wires from the connector, remove the screw holding the clip to the arm.



Now pull some of the wire out of the arm s you have space to work with and solder the cartridge tags.

Now turn your attention to the BSR cartridge. if it came with a clip, remove it. On the top of the cartridge you will find a mounting hole.

Use the 6BA tap to cut the thread for the grub screw.



Now screw in the grub screw into the cartridge.



Fit the spacer to the grubscrew and then screw the assembly into the arm, making sure it is tight and above all parallel to the head.

then fit the connectors to the cartridge.

Reassemble the arm to the deck, dont forget the spring at the back,

Reconnect the wires to the tag strip and off you go.

[Michael Maurice]

I'm sure you'll agree it does look a lot better, it also perform better.

[unitaudio]

I did this job on a friend's 2025TC a few years ago but cut the original bracket down. It worked but it didn't look great. The way you've done it looks a much more elegant solution.

Regards,
Paul

[sp10mk11]

What a great job always a pleasure to see problems over come, well done
Gary

[llama]

Yes it certainly looks pukka, Michael. When you say it performs better, do you mean better than a 9TA(HC?) used to or better than the one that came off or indeed better than any other ceramic on the market?
Graham

[Michael Maurice]

The sound is good, more importantly, it doesn't have the height issues with fitting it in the bracket.

It also means that you could purchase one for this job without the bracket.

I think they do perform better than some of the ceramic cartridges on the market, I certainly haven't had any problems with it.

[Nickthedentist]

Very neat work, Michael, thanks for sharing it with us.

I have had excellent results with these BSR ceramic cartridges. In spite of them being associated with cheap and nasty equipment, I have them installed in my Dynatron GR3 and Hacker Serenade and am very happy with the sound. They replaced Sonotones, both of which had failed suspensions.

N.

[martinhog]

That's brilliant, just got a nice 2025TC and a NOS SC12M, now I know what to do,Thank you !.

[parlourtw73vs]

Although I've not fitted a SC12m into a 2025tc myself, I've installed one in a SP25 mk.iii which is the deck in my Hacker Gondolier. This is obviously an easy job with it's detachable headshell but my reason for writing is to endorse the sound quality from these carts. if you can find one in good condition. They are crisp and clear in sound and the output is certainly ample when fed into the Hacker's valve amp.

[RojDW48]

Nice work!