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Old 25th Jul 2021, 8:35 am   #1
hayerjoe
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Default Help with new to me cartridges.

Hello everyone

I now have 2 strange HMV cartridges I need help with, see photos. The labels on the deck say they are PC21 and PC23 but I'm not so sure. Also the "PC23" has a stylus I've seen before but never actually owned and I really don't know how to get it out. I noticed a post recently about them drooping if broken whilst removing so I'm a bit nervous to proceed, so I'd like to know what the carts are, are they even worth getting new stylus for (ie OK compliance and OK output), and how to remove the stylus from the alleged PC23

All help would be greatly appreciated

thanks
Joe
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Old 25th Jul 2021, 8:42 am   #2
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Default Re: help with new to me cartridges

The gold one is a Sonotone 9TA or 9TAHC. The details will be stamped into one side
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Old 25th Jul 2021, 8:44 am   #3
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Default Re: help with new to me cartridges

And the other looks like a Sonotone 8TA.
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Old 25th Jul 2021, 8:58 am   #4
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Default Re: Help with new to me cartridges.

Thanks Nick, both from HMV radiograms and I know HMV in Oz mixed-n-matched cartridges from different suppliers under their own name which make identification a bit tricky. From what I read Sonotone are fairly well regarded, are these 2 worth sticking with or should I just find something like a sturdy reliable BSR C1?
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Old 25th Jul 2021, 9:28 am   #5
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Default Re: Help with new to me cartridges.

I find that in the Sonotone 8 &9TA cartridges the stylus support mount becomes brittle with age and is easily broken and even in those surviving ones, less efficient, so maybe worth replacing the cartridge?
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Old 25th Jul 2021, 9:35 am   #6
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Default Re: Help with new to me cartridges.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ekcoman View Post
I find that in the Sonotone 8 &9TA cartridges the stylus support mount becomes brittle with age and is easily broken and even in those surviving ones, less efficient, so maybe worth replacing the cartridge?
Yeah that's what I thought, shame to ditch my only gold plated cartridge though!
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Old 25th Jul 2021, 11:48 am   #7
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Default Re: Help with new to me cartridges.

The Sonotone 9TA/HC is highly regarded as one of the best ceramic cartriges ever made and will out perform the BSR C1 in the right tone arm.
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Old 26th Jul 2021, 10:02 am   #8
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Default Re: Help with new to me cartridges.

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Originally Posted by Edward Huggins View Post
The Sonotone 9TA/HC is highly regarded as one of the best ceramic cartriges ever made and will out perform the BSR C1 in the right tone arm.
Thanks for the info Edward, I've ordered a new stylus for it and will see how it goes.

I still haven't been able to remove the old one, still a bit nervous about breaking the mount for the stylus. What's the trick? I found this online (see attached) but followed the instructions and it still didn't want to come
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Old 26th Jul 2021, 10:24 am   #9
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Default Re: Help with new to me cartridges.

As above, both these cartridges were great in their day, but time will almost certainly have taken its toll on the flexible rubbery bits.
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Old 26th Jul 2021, 11:05 am   #10
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Default Re: Help with new to me cartridges.

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Originally Posted by Nickthedentist View Post
As above, both these cartridges were great in their day, but time will almost certainly have taken its toll on the flexible rubbery bits.
Yep Nick understood. I can get a new stylus for under A$10 so I'm going to give it a go. I hate ditching the old carts, it seems painful putting them in the bin, but who wants old low output, hard rubber suspension cartridges? no one really
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Old 26th Jul 2021, 11:22 am   #11
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Default Re: Help with new to me cartridges.

Follow those instructions and when the tip is out, gently rock the far end of the yellow plastic to ease it ut of its retaining clip. Reverse the procedure to install. Be careful with the 4 wire plug-in connector at the rear of the cart.
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Old 26th Jul 2021, 12:56 pm   #12
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Default Re: Help with new to me cartridges.

...and if you find there's low or intermittent output on the 9TA, clean the plug and cartridge's mating contacts with Servisol Super 10 on a cotton bud.
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Old 27th Jul 2021, 7:27 am   #13
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Default Re: Help with new to me cartridges.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edward Huggins View Post
Follow those instructions and when the tip is out, gently rock the far end of the yellow plastic to ease it ut of its retaining clip. Reverse the procedure to install. Be careful with the 4 wire plug-in connector at the rear of the cart.
Thanks, followed those instructions and got a small jewellers screwdriver to prise at the middle and it came out
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Old 27th Jul 2021, 7:29 am   #14
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Default Re: Help with new to me cartridges.

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Originally Posted by Nickthedentist View Post
...and if you find there's low or intermittent output on the 9TA, clean the plug and cartridge's mating contacts with Servisol Super 10 on a cotton bud.
Thanks for the advice.

I'd like to know just how to check output with a multimeter, I see no sticky for it, so unless advised otherwise I think I'll start a new tread about this to help others
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Old 27th Jul 2021, 8:16 am   #15
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Default Re: Help with new to me cartridges.

I really feel for Joe, I've just binned two TC8 cartridges. But they must have been over fifty years old.
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Old 27th Jul 2021, 10:00 am   #16
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Default Re: Help with new to me cartridges.

A DMM on volts should give some idea of output if you stroke the stylus. But the best test is connection to an amp and listening for a rustle when tickling the stylus.
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