Which cartridge for Collaro Studio? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

MagicalGammon · 7th Mar 2021, 12:42 am

Slowly getting there with troubleshooting this deck, been searching old posts on here for assistance with some of the issues but now trying to figure out which cartridge I'd need to replace the mess that's in the headshell currently.

It has no real identifying features and from browsing online, someone mentioned it might take a Sonotone cartridge? Unsure of which so would be glad of anyone who could confirm which to use.

Thanks in advance.

Edward Huggins · 7th Mar 2021, 9:21 am

In my experience the Collaro/Magnavox "Studio" has a different tonearm from the previous very small head of the earlier Collaros. This means that fitting a standard 1/2" mount should present no problems. A photo would help to confirm. Also what type of amplifier will you be playing this into i.e. does it have both Ceramic and MM inputs?

MagicalGammon · 7th Mar 2021, 5:47 pm

On inspection I now see that its Acos 73 stereo cartridge. It has a separate metal bracket to mount it in the headshell.

Unsure of amp/inputs, sorry. Still trying to figure most of this out. Have attached photos, if that helps.

Edward Huggins · 7th Mar 2021, 6:12 pm

I can't see the tone arm very well but this looks look the larger head version, which is to your advantage. That Acos cartridge is a early Stereo Crystal type on a standard 1/2" mount. If you are intending to use the very same amplifier that you were already playing this through, then we can advise options. In the meantime what's actualy with this Acos cartridge?

MagicalGammon · 8th Mar 2021, 9:08 am

I bought this recprd player second hand and attempting to fix it up, so I don't have much history on what was going on with it. The cartridge was covered in green rust and half the needle was missing, some wiring was pulled away.

The record player is a Murphy A426G.

Edward Huggins · 8th Mar 2021, 9:48 am

OK, so your Murphy has a 2 stage amplifier and you will need a matching cartridge. Search for BSR X5M (ideally) or BSR SC11M or SC12H. These will cost c.£35-00. The SC cartridges are stereo and will need "bridging" to give a mono signal. We can explain this later. At the cheaper end are the Chinese Denshi cartridges in various formats c.£14.00 which will also need bridging.

7th Mar 2021, 12:42 am	#1
MagicalGammon Triode Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Fife, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, UK Posts: 17	Which cartridge for Collaro Studio? Slowly getting there with troubleshooting this deck, been searching old posts on here for assistance with some of the issues but now trying to figure out which cartridge I'd need to replace the mess that's in the headshell currently. It has no real identifying features and from browsing online, someone mentioned it might take a Sonotone cartridge? Unsure of which so would be glad of anyone who could confirm which to use. Thanks in advance.

7th Mar 2021, 9:21 am	#2
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,340	Re: Which cartridge for Collaro Studio? In my experience the Collaro/Magnavox "Studio" has a different tonearm from the previous very small head of the earlier Collaros. This means that fitting a standard 1/2" mount should present no problems. A photo would help to confirm. Also what type of amplifier will you be playing this into i.e. does it have both Ceramic and MM inputs? __________________ Edward.

7th Mar 2021, 5:47 pm	#3
MagicalGammon Triode Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Fife, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, UK Posts: 17	Re: Which cartridge for Collaro Studio? On inspection I now see that its Acos 73 stereo cartridge. It has a separate metal bracket to mount it in the headshell. Unsure of amp/inputs, sorry. Still trying to figure most of this out. Have attached photos, if that helps. Attached Thumbnails

7th Mar 2021, 6:12 pm	#4
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,340	Re: Which cartridge for Collaro Studio? I can't see the tone arm very well but this looks look the larger head version, which is to your advantage. That Acos cartridge is a early Stereo Crystal type on a standard 1/2" mount. If you are intending to use the very same amplifier that you were already playing this through, then we can advise options. In the meantime what's actualy with this Acos cartridge? __________________ Edward.

8th Mar 2021, 9:08 am	#5
MagicalGammon Triode Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Fife, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, UK Posts: 17	Re: Which cartridge for Collaro Studio? I bought this recprd player second hand and attempting to fix it up, so I don't have much history on what was going on with it. The cartridge was covered in green rust and half the needle was missing, some wiring was pulled away. The record player is a Murphy A426G.

8th Mar 2021, 9:48 am	#6
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,340	Re: Which cartridge for Collaro Studio? OK, so your Murphy has a 2 stage amplifier and you will need a matching cartridge. Search for BSR X5M (ideally) or BSR SC11M or SC12H. These will cost c.£35-00. The SC cartridges are stereo and will need "bridging" to give a mono signal. We can explain this later. At the cheaper end are the Chinese Denshi cartridges in various formats c.£14.00 which will also need bridging. __________________ Edward.