Cartridge for Philips AG2110 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Robin Cox · 12th Jan 2021, 3:41 am

Hi, I have just bought a portable Phillips 2110 Bakelite record player and the cartridge is damaged and missing one of its styluses.
I have found the spare stylus but cannot buy the whole cartridge so it's a case of rebuilding using a new crystal and stylus, does anyone know who could help me with that? Thank you. Here’s the stylus and what I’ve found.

Radio Wrangler · 12th Jan 2021, 7:52 am

Many cartridges of that era used crystal elements inside that were hygroscopic and collected water vapour from the atmosphere. The crystal material slowly turned to sludge internally. This happens even to stored unused ones.

Some of the Philips ones were notorious for this.

The subsequent problem is that the crystal type cartridges gave a particularly high output voltage and the makers of record players could get away with simple, single-stage valve amplifiers.

Other cartridges were made using piezo-electric ceramic elements, which don't take on water and dissolve. These seem to last well, but they do not give as much output voltage and need a more complex amplifier with two valve stages. Some valves were made with both stages in the one bottle, so it isn't just a case of counting the glassware.

Ceramic cartridges are still available, but you may have to get creative about mounting one in your existing arm, and then address the problem of reduced output. You either live with reduced volume from your player, or add an extra amplifier stage to boost the signal.

I don't know that specific model, but these are some of the issues you may be facing.

And welcome!

David

Edward Huggins · 12th Jan 2021, 10:16 am

Even the most basic of the Philips range of valve record players used a 2 stage amplifer, usually a UCL82. The OP will need to remove the old cartridge and I suggest using a single stylus (45/33) or flip-under (33,45,78) Chinese cheapo cartridge c. £11-00. There looks to be just about room in the head for a 1/2" standard mount. The 2 channels must be bridged for this Mono player. Is this something the OP feels he can do?

suebutcher · 13th Jan 2021, 5:41 am

I got your PM, Robin, but the pictures didn't come through.If you want to rebuild the original cartridge, you'd need to know the size of the crystal element, and also check that the suspension is still flexible. If the suspension's hard, a rebuild won't be practical.

Cobaltblue · 13th Jan 2021, 10:57 am

You can't send pictures via a PM you will need to exchange Email addresses.

Cheers

Mike T

12th Jan 2021, 3:41 am	#1
Robin Cox Diode Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1	Cartridge for Philips AG2110 Hi, I have just bought a portable Phillips 2110 Bakelite record player and the cartridge is damaged and missing one of its styluses. I have found the spare stylus but cannot buy the whole cartridge so it's a case of rebuilding using a new crystal and stylus, does anyone know who could help me with that? Thank you. Here’s the stylus and what I’ve found. Attached Thumbnails

12th Jan 2021, 7:52 am	#2
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,902	Re: Cartridge for Phillips AG2110 Many cartridges of that era used crystal elements inside that were hygroscopic and collected water vapour from the atmosphere. The crystal material slowly turned to sludge internally. This happens even to stored unused ones. Some of the Philips ones were notorious for this. The subsequent problem is that the crystal type cartridges gave a particularly high output voltage and the makers of record players could get away with simple, single-stage valve amplifiers. Other cartridges were made using piezo-electric ceramic elements, which don't take on water and dissolve. These seem to last well, but they do not give as much output voltage and need a more complex amplifier with two valve stages. Some valves were made with both stages in the one bottle, so it isn't just a case of counting the glassware. Ceramic cartridges are still available, but you may have to get creative about mounting one in your existing arm, and then address the problem of reduced output. You either live with reduced volume from your player, or add an extra amplifier stage to boost the signal. I don't know that specific model, but these are some of the issues you may be facing. And welcome! David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

12th Jan 2021, 10:16 am	#3
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,338	Re: Cartridge for Phillips AG2110 Even the most basic of the Philips range of valve record players used a 2 stage amplifer, usually a UCL82. The OP will need to remove the old cartridge and I suggest using a single stylus (45/33) or flip-under (33,45,78) Chinese cheapo cartridge c. £11-00. There looks to be just about room in the head for a 1/2" standard mount. The 2 channels must be bridged for this Mono player. Is this something the OP feels he can do? __________________ Edward.

13th Jan 2021, 5:41 am	#4
suebutcher Heptode Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Daylesford, Victoria, Australia Posts: 675	Re: Cartridge for Philips AG2110 I got your PM, Robin, but the pictures didn't come through.If you want to rebuild the original cartridge, you'd need to know the size of the crystal element, and also check that the suspension is still flexible. If the suspension's hard, a rebuild won't be practical. __________________ The Waves That Rule Britannia

13th Jan 2021, 10:57 am	#5
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,878	Re: Cartridge for Philips AG2110 You can't send pictures via a PM you will need to exchange Email addresses. Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk