Akai AP-M10 cartridge replacement - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

vampyretim · 12th Apr 2017, 5:45 pm

Hi guys,

I know it's a rubbish deck and all but a customer has a sentimental attachment to it. It has an AKAI PC-10 cartridge in it but I can't find a replacement.
Anyone have any suggestions?

Many thanks,
Tim.

Edward Huggins · 12th Apr 2017, 6:22 pm

If you can't find a replacement, Audio Technica the AT91 (c.£18.00) is well regarded and has a standard mounting.

Herald1360 · 13th Apr 2017, 12:01 pm

From the look of the deck, the standard "Chinese Cheapy" ceramic cartridge might be a better fit.

paulsherwin · 13th Apr 2017, 1:26 pm

Is the original cartridge ceramic or magnetic? Despite it obviously being cheap'n'cheerful, I'd expect a deck of that type to use a mag cartridge.

johnny english · 13th Apr 2017, 3:29 pm

According to a post on another forum the cartridge is a t4p mount which plugs straight in to the arm. The stylus is available for the current fitted cartridge.
Cheers Ed.

Edward Huggins · 13th Apr 2017, 3:29 pm

Now I see it, this does not have standard 1/2" fixing centres, therefore the chinese cheapo would be ideal. Looks like this was once part of a budget "stacking" system.

Tom_I · 13th Apr 2017, 4:37 pm

This is a magnetic P-Mount cartridge (aka T4P), so I'm afraid a Chinese cheapo ceramic won't be any use at all.

The good news is that P-Mount cartridges are intended to be interchangeable, so if you can't find an Akai original, you can fit a different make. You should be able to find (for example) an Audio Technica AT3482P for about £20.

Herald1360 · 13th Apr 2017, 4:45 pm

You learn something new.......

bikerhifinut · 13th Apr 2017, 8:04 pm

Ok daft question time.
Is the original cartridge U/S or just in need of a stylus?
The usual replacement people (mantra audio etc etc) could well be able to find a suitable replacement stylus given a good hi res photo of the original stylus assembly.
Just a thought.

Andy

Audio1950 · 13th Apr 2017, 10:08 pm

Sorry, but from a distance, we can't tell you whether the cartridge is u/s or not. What made you think it needed replacing in the first place?!

bikerhifinut · 13th Apr 2017, 10:12 pm

is that aimed at me or vampyre tim? Tim was the OP.

Edward Huggins · 14th Apr 2017, 9:03 am

Many people with maybe less experience will often call a cartridge a stylus. The OP did say he was looking for a replacement cartridge - but he may mean just the stylus.

Audio1950 · 14th Apr 2017, 10:35 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerhifinut

is that aimed at me or vampyre tim? Tim was the OP.

Sorry, bikerhifinut, I'm getting my OPs mixed up! Yours is the question we need an answer to.

Nickthedentist · 14th Apr 2017, 1:03 pm

Yes, definitely a P-Mount magnetic cartridge.

Decent replacement stylus available here for £21 all inclusive: https://shop.mantra-audio.co.uk/acat...Number-p1.html

Or whole new Audio Technica cartridge (which merely plugs in after removing a single screw) here, for £25, though no doubt cheaper if you scour Amazon or eBay: https://shop.mantra-audio.co.uk/acat...ge-MA1328.html

12th Apr 2017, 5:45 pm	#1
vampyretim Heptode Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 538	Akai AP-M10 cartridge replacement Hi guys, I know it's a rubbish deck and all but a customer has a sentimental attachment to it. It has an AKAI PC-10 cartridge in it but I can't find a replacement. Anyone have any suggestions? Many thanks, Tim.

12th Apr 2017, 6:22 pm	#2
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,328	Re: Akai AP-M10 cartridge replacement If you can't find a replacement, Audio Technica the AT91 (c.£18.00) is well regarded and has a standard mounting. __________________ Edward.

13th Apr 2017, 12:01 pm	#3
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Akai AP-M10 cartridge replacement From the look of the deck, the standard "Chinese Cheapy" ceramic cartridge might be a better fit. Attached Thumbnails __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

13th Apr 2017, 1:26 pm	#4
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,947	Re: Akai AP-M10 cartridge replacement Is the original cartridge ceramic or magnetic? Despite it obviously being cheap'n'cheerful, I'd expect a deck of that type to use a mag cartridge.

13th Apr 2017, 3:29 pm	#5
johnny english Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 160	Re: Akai AP-M10 cartridge replacement According to a post on another forum the cartridge is a t4p mount which plugs straight in to the arm. The stylus is available for the current fitted cartridge. Cheers Ed.

13th Apr 2017, 4:37 pm	#7
Tom_I Heptode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Herts. UK. Posts: 549	Re: Akai AP-M10 cartridge replacement This is a magnetic P-Mount cartridge (aka T4P), so I'm afraid a Chinese cheapo ceramic won't be any use at all. The good news is that P-Mount cartridges are intended to be interchangeable, so if you can't find an Akai original, you can fit a different make. You should be able to find (for example) an Audio Technica AT3482P for about £20.

13th Apr 2017, 4:45 pm	#8
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Akai AP-M10 cartridge replacement You learn something new....... __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

13th Apr 2017, 8:04 pm	#9
bikerhifinut Octode Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Penrith, Cumbria, UK Posts: 1,993	Re: Akai AP-M10 cartridge replacement Ok daft question time. Is the original cartridge U/S or just in need of a stylus? The usual replacement people (mantra audio etc etc) could well be able to find a suitable replacement stylus given a good hi res photo of the original stylus assembly. Just a thought. Andy

13th Apr 2017, 10:08 pm	#10
Audio1950 Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 3,761	Re: Akai AP-M10 cartridge replacement Sorry, but from a distance, we can't tell you whether the cartridge is u/s or not. What made you think it needed replacing in the first place?! Last edited by Audio1950; 13th Apr 2017 at 10:14 pm.

13th Apr 2017, 10:12 pm	#11
bikerhifinut Octode Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Penrith, Cumbria, UK Posts: 1,993	Re: Akai AP-M10 cartridge replacement is that aimed at me or vampyre tim? Tim was the OP.

14th Apr 2017, 9:03 am	#12
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,328	Re: Akai AP-M10 cartridge replacement Many people with maybe less experience will often call a cartridge a stylus. The OP did say he was looking for a replacement cartridge - but he may mean just the stylus. __________________ Edward.

14th Apr 2017, 1:03 pm	#14
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,846	Re: Akai AP-M10 cartridge replacement Yes, definitely a P-Mount magnetic cartridge. Decent replacement stylus available here for £21 all inclusive: https://shop.mantra-audio.co.uk/acat...Number-p1.html Or whole new Audio Technica cartridge (which merely plugs in after removing a single screw) here, for £25, though no doubt cheaper if you scour Amazon or eBay: https://shop.mantra-audio.co.uk/acat...ge-MA1328.html