Ceramic and Crystal cartridge specs.

[af024]

Are stereo LP tips different from mono (microgroove, not 78 rpm) tips then?
The plot thickens ...

[david freeman]

The rubber shank mounting for the TC8S was not the same as the one in the mono TC8 cartridges. It was definitely a softer, dare I say, more compliant mounting, which I suspect did provide some degree of vertical compliance.
Also, I seem to recall Ronette stylii having similar properties across the mono/ stereo range, only the mounting shanks differing as per the TC8 range.
Also, In reply to the previous post, originally, a mono stylus had a radius of 1 mil, which was used until the 0.7 mil radius was introduced in order to play stereo records.

[Edward Huggins]

Originally Posted by af024

Are stereo LP tips different from mono (microgroove, not 78 rpm) tips then?
The plot thickens ...

There's no plot at all. Stereo styli have been in established use for 64 years. Yet in spite of this there is still confusion about them. And not only do they have a different tip diameter, but also some have different profiles.

[af024]

It's interesting to note that manufacturers progressively worked at making mono cartridges stereo compatible, and presumably also made mono (0.001" tip radius) and stereo (0.0007" tip radous) styli. What seems amazing to me is that the 45 deg cut for stereo records didn't fully take into account the backward compatibility issue by making them playable using the original 0.001" tip radius stylus.

This is an interesting website:-http://pspatialaudio.com/stylus_grooves.htm#:~:text=A%20original%2C%20standard%20microgroove%20diamond,as%20illustrated%20at% 20(a).

No wonder the purchasers of cartridges and styli (and to some extent the sellers too!) were somewhat bamboozled! I mean it's not as if the cartridge has SC written on the side of it or a stylus has 0.001" tip radius written on it. These days I'm not even sure we can rely upon the ST number of the styli to deduce whether its a 0.001" or 0.0007" tip radius! Mmmmm... as I say a minefield.

[af024]

Maybe all ST styli were 0.0007" tip radius?

[astro63]

Attached image of BSR TC10, 12, 14 Cartridges found on the web

[Cathovisor]

One thing I would like to see here (if possible) is data on the Sonotone 25x9 and 35x9 cartridges - and what the Garrard equivalents are, e.g. KS41A?

[PJC58-Hythe]

While searching online for something else I stumbled on a document about Astatic cartridges which has cross reference data and also technical data so I thought I would share here for interest.

[hayerjoe]

hi Peter, is it my PDF reader at fault? but I can only see 5 pages of the alleged 35+. the missing pages are temptingly interesting

[Reelman]

Originally Posted by hayerjoe

hi Peter, is it my PDF reader at fault? but I can only see 5 pages of the alleged 35+. the missing pages are temptingly interesting

Yes, there are only 5 pages. It stops at page 4 of the original.

Peter

[PJC58-Hythe]

I have only included those pages for the technical specs if you who want the full document this is the link https://www.canadianastatic.com/uploads/2/3/8/7/23874355/ast...ges_catalog_and_cross_reference.pdf

[Station X]

One post moved to a new thread here:-

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=206085

[D_S_J_R]

Originally Posted by Cathovisor

One thing I would like to see here (if possible) is data on the Sonotone 25x9 and 35x9 cartridges - and what the Garrard equivalents are, e.g. KS41A?

From memory, the 3509 ceramic was the same as a KS40A and the higher compliance 3559 (merely a stylus change?) was the KS41C. All irrelevant now as generic styli seem to cover all bases.

I seem to remember the 25** models were crystal higher output types with 'plastic' cantilevers holding the diamond/sapphire stylus chips.

I still have a 3559 and a single tip stylus marketed by Musonic. It's very good indeed at around 4g tracking I remember it being as good subjectively as the classic Sonotone 9TA-HC. BSR's late slimline models and the Acos 104 when new was also comparable I'd suggest. I missed out on a pair of Decca Derams, one with 'best' stylus fitted and have always been intrigued how good these were - apologies for the digression.

[ben]

Attached for reference some Sonotone pictures. No idea where I got them, internet probably (perhaps even here!)

- The 2509, 2529 and 2539 (all pictured) are the low compliance higher output types, using the plastic shanked styli (GDD1, etc).

- The 3509 is a medium output (AKA Garrard KS41). I think (don't have one nearby at present) that the 3549 (quoted 100mv o/p) and the 3559 (quoted 70mV o/p) are the same carts but sold with higher compliance stylus (see note below) which dictated the output. That's my theory - I would welcome info that would prove/disprove it!

- The 35xx carts use the Styli commonly marked with Garrard prefix A, B or C. the A type is more robust. The 'C' type has a longer, finer shank and tracks the lightest, also giving lower output. Pics to follow.

[ben]

Attached pictures for comparison of B and C type styli for the Sonotone 35xx series. You can see the difference in the length of the cantilever if you look closely.