ERC compat X2 cartridge. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

yapster · 10th Feb 2018, 7:08 pm

I have a Bush SRP31C with the Garrard 210 deck. It was fitted with the ERC compat x2 cartridge which of course is mono. I inadvertently damaged the stylus while attempting to clean it, so have replaced it with a cheap Chinese ceramic cartidge and stylus, which doesn't sound anywhere near as good.

My question is, does anyone know if the Compat stands for stereo compatible, as if so I would gladly invest in a new stylus, but I don't want to damage any of my stereo records.

Audio1950 · 10th Feb 2018, 8:33 pm

Hi, and welcome to the forum. I have searched the various suppliers of styli listed in the "stickies" at the start of this section, and can only find two ERC styli listed, but neither give any cartridge numbers. It certainly sounds as though "compat" means compatible, but without being sure........

Any chance you could post a picture of the cartridge?

yapster · 11th Feb 2018, 12:49 pm

I've now seen this cartridge listed as a Goldring cartridge but with little info listed.

lazythread · 11th Feb 2018, 1:59 pm

I have a Compat C cartridge, the box and information sheet say "Stereo Compatible Mono Cartridges" and contain the following data:

"Compat X - Medium Output Crystal Cartridge, output 225mv, VTF 3-5g, load 1MΩ 100pF
Compat X2 - High Output Crystal Cartridge, output 525mv, VTF 6-9g, load 1MΩ 100pF
Compat C - Medium Output Ceramic Cartridge, output 170mv, VTF 5-6g, load 1MΩ 100pF

Electronic Reproducers (Components) Ltd. Hedley Road, St. Albans, Herts."

These cartridges were also boxed and sold by Goldring.

yapster · 11th Feb 2018, 5:10 pm

Many Thanks. I can now get a new stylus safe in the knowledge I'm not killing any worthwhile vinyl.

Edward Huggins · 11th Feb 2018, 6:35 pm

This looks like a flip-under, stereo-compatible type, but in all of these (very many) years I've never heard of ERC before. I'm not sure if a replacement stylus might even be available, but an alternative ceramic cartridge is an option.

Audio1950 · 11th Feb 2018, 6:50 pm

So one of these will be the stylus for it?

https://www.musonic.co.uk/index.php?...ex&cPath=1_182

lazythread · 12th Feb 2018, 10:24 am

Yes, scroll down and there's a Compat X listed.

Edward - ERC were around for quite a while. Their cartridges were fitted to Rigonda systems among others. They're pretty respectable cartridges and there are quite a few NOS ones knocking around, so are worth investigating if you don't want to pay BSR SC12 prices. Replacement styli are readily available.

Regards

Edward Huggins · 12th Feb 2018, 11:13 am

Well thanks for this. After 60 odd years or so (some very odd) I just don't know how I ever missed these. One learns so much from other Members.

yapster · 17th Feb 2018, 11:25 pm

Just as a postscript to this thread.. As I'd damaged the stylus, I replaced the cartridge in the headshell with a cheapo chinese cartridge. The sound was so-so but I decided I'd purchased a new stylus for the cartridge from Musonic. While waiting for it to arrive, I decided to treat the little rubber "ears" to a bit of rubber restorer. Leaving the cartridge to one side, I went to pick it up the next morning and it literally crumbled in my hand and completely broke apart! I have now purchased an NOS cartridge complete in the box (marked £1) complete with stylus guard and headshell screws. If you have a Bush/Garrard combo that likes a high output cartridge I can really recommend this cartridge as a definite keeper if you can find one.

10th Feb 2018, 7:08 pm	#1
yapster Triode Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Telford, Shropshire, UK. Posts: 13	ERC compat X2 cartridge. I have a Bush SRP31C with the Garrard 210 deck. It was fitted with the ERC compat x2 cartridge which of course is mono. I inadvertently damaged the stylus while attempting to clean it, so have replaced it with a cheap Chinese ceramic cartidge and stylus, which doesn't sound anywhere near as good. My question is, does anyone know if the Compat stands for stereo compatible, as if so I would gladly invest in a new stylus, but I don't want to damage any of my stereo records.

10th Feb 2018, 8:33 pm	#2
Audio1950 Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 3,761	Re: ERC compat X2 cartridge. Hi, and welcome to the forum. I have searched the various suppliers of styli listed in the "stickies" at the start of this section, and can only find two ERC styli listed, but neither give any cartridge numbers. It certainly sounds as though "compat" means compatible, but without being sure........ Any chance you could post a picture of the cartridge? Last edited by Audio1950; 10th Feb 2018 at 8:41 pm.

11th Feb 2018, 12:49 pm	#3
yapster Triode Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Telford, Shropshire, UK. Posts: 13	Re: ERC compat X2 cartridge. I've now seen this cartridge listed as a Goldring cartridge but with little info listed. Attached Thumbnails

11th Feb 2018, 1:59 pm	#4
lazythread Pentode Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Berkshire, UK. Posts: 124	Re: ERC compat X2 cartridge. I have a Compat C cartridge, the box and information sheet say "Stereo Compatible Mono Cartridges" and contain the following data: "Compat X - Medium Output Crystal Cartridge, output 225mv, VTF 3-5g, load 1MΩ 100pF Compat X2 - High Output Crystal Cartridge, output 525mv, VTF 6-9g, load 1MΩ 100pF Compat C - Medium Output Ceramic Cartridge, output 170mv, VTF 5-6g, load 1MΩ 100pF Electronic Reproducers (Components) Ltd. Hedley Road, St. Albans, Herts." These cartridges were also boxed and sold by Goldring. __________________ Richard It's great when it goes around to make a sound.

11th Feb 2018, 5:10 pm	#5
yapster Triode Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Telford, Shropshire, UK. Posts: 13	Re: ERC compat X2 cartridge. Many Thanks. I can now get a new stylus safe in the knowledge I'm not killing any worthwhile vinyl.

11th Feb 2018, 6:35 pm	#6
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: ERC compat X2 cartridge. This looks like a flip-under, stereo-compatible type, but in all of these (very many) years I've never heard of ERC before. I'm not sure if a replacement stylus might even be available, but an alternative ceramic cartridge is an option. __________________ Edward.

11th Feb 2018, 6:50 pm	#7
Audio1950 Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 3,761	Re: ERC compat X2 cartridge. So one of these will be the stylus for it? https://www.musonic.co.uk/index.php?...ex&cPath=1_182

12th Feb 2018, 10:24 am	#8
lazythread Pentode Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Berkshire, UK. Posts: 124	Re: ERC compat X2 cartridge. Yes, scroll down and there's a Compat X listed. Edward - ERC were around for quite a while. Their cartridges were fitted to Rigonda systems among others. They're pretty respectable cartridges and there are quite a few NOS ones knocking around, so are worth investigating if you don't want to pay BSR SC12 prices. Replacement styli are readily available. Regards __________________ Richard It's great when it goes around to make a sound.

12th Feb 2018, 11:13 am	#9
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: ERC compat X2 cartridge. Well thanks for this. After 60 odd years or so (some very odd) I just don't know how I ever missed these. One learns so much from other Members. __________________ Edward.

17th Feb 2018, 11:25 pm	#10
yapster Triode Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Telford, Shropshire, UK. Posts: 13	Re: ERC compat X2 cartridge. Just as a postscript to this thread.. As I'd damaged the stylus, I replaced the cartridge in the headshell with a cheapo chinese cartridge. The sound was so-so but I decided I'd purchased a new stylus for the cartridge from Musonic. While waiting for it to arrive, I decided to treat the little rubber "ears" to a bit of rubber restorer. Leaving the cartridge to one side, I went to pick it up the next morning and it literally crumbled in my hand and completely broke apart! I have now purchased an NOS cartridge complete in the box (marked £1) complete with stylus guard and headshell screws. If you have a Bush/Garrard combo that likes a high output cartridge I can really recommend this cartridge as a definite keeper if you can find one.