45 rpm changer/ player

A Type A is perfectly viable today for playing anything - even LPs - because it's relatively modern (in galactic terms). I've owned one of those too - 'twern't half bad.

@likebike23: No, of course there's acceptable ceramics - I was just referencing what's likely to be in that 45 changer.

For "beat to hell" 45s? Sure. At one time I owned around 3000 ex-juke 45s (my dad was in the coin machine biz) - but I still played them with a modicum of care. Of course, for styrene 45s, all bets are off.

Seeburg? To die for. Also a Rock-Ola, Wurlitzer, or (the Holy Grail) AMi? For the record, I've owned all except a "Wurt-I-Lizer":p
 
I have converted several of the RCA players to magnetic cartridges, they work very well. There is a slight rumble but you can change the motor to a DC motor and it will be silent.

I also have two of the Seeburg Library units, for playing stereo 45's, all you have to do is replace the original cartridge with
the later Seeburg/Pickering Stereo cartridge using one of the cartridge adaptor plugs that are now widely available. Then rebalance
and calibrate the tonearm.
 
#5-Alive said:
The original crystal cartridges that came in those RCAs actually weren't that brutal on records considering when they were made. They tracked at ~5 grams. They are pretty much a moot point though, as they are almost all dead from age by now. Easy solution, though: Upgrade to a better ceramic or magnetic cartridge. Then, there is no reason you can't play stereo and / or stryene 45s. The rest of the parts to restore them, like rebuilt idler and cam wheels, motor mounts, etc are readily available. I have one that I am going to restore and retrofit a Pickering V15 cartridge into it. I just haven't spent the money on parts yet.
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Big issues. What cartridge can you buy today with genuine stylus support which tracks at that force? Answer, you can not. 3.5 grams is as heavy as you can get. Big problem. Also, 2 pole motor, so hum prone to boot. A Dual 1009 or 1019 is much better for a changer.
 
If you're thinking side pusher Garrard, if you can score an A70 thats the last and best version of that arrangement. The arm is better than what came before it, and it makes a fine LP changer as well. The Type A and A-II are probably more common though. I've ended up with one of each, I think both were free. Neither came with the 45 stacker but those can be turned up for not a bunch on ebay. I think the one I have was maybe 20 bucks.
 
Agree with much of the previous comments but note later Garrard changers often had the Synchro motor fitted which sorted hum problems. Also the adoption of Delrin in the mechanism about the same time enabled tracking down to <2g while still tripping the change. For those 45s with the large hole, using (the thinner) snap in adapters enable them to be played using the standard Garrard spindle.

AT60 mk2 and SL65 decks are robust and fun, once the concrete grease has been removed.
 
Greenie said:
AT60 mk2 and SL65 decks are robust and fun, once the concrete grease has been removed.
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True. I feel like the Garrard AT60 is one of the more under rated changers out there. While not as refined as the better Dual changers, they tend to cost considerably less and are actually pretty well made. They're happy tracking around 2.5 grams, take magnetic cartridges, and are extremely reliable once cleaned up.

at60.jpg
 
The AT6 family is pretty decent. The AT60 has a few tweaks from the AT6 but very similar. There is also an SL-65 which is basically the AT60 with the better motor.
 
#5-Alive said:
Who cares about genuine? Use aftermarket styli if necessary. The 2 pole motor isn't that big of an issue as plenty of people have successfully used MM cartridges in those machines. And no crap, there are "better" machines out there to use.:rolleyes:

So, small issues.;)
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Depends on what he's connecting it to. Critical. Some systems don't do rumbly or humming well. Some are more forgiving.
 
I have never had a hum problem on the J2's, if rumble is an issue, you can. change the motor.

I have never cared for the AT6/AT60 family, they have way too much tracking error, a shame because in other respects they
are quite good.
 
#5-Alive said:
Who cares about genuine? Use aftermarket styli if necessary. The 2 pole motor isn't that big of an issue as plenty of people have successfully used MM cartridges in those machines. And no crap, there are "better" machines out there to use.:rolleyes:

So, small issues.;)
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Big problems, few know how to make decent aftermarket styli for Pickering/Stanton cartridges. Jico's the only decent ones I've yet found which are consistent. A major thing to know.

And the RCA changer is just as much labor as say overhauling a Garrard AT-6 or AT-60 (which is our OP's easiest bet in terms of simplicity yet decent). Which does track reliably and trip it's automatic mechanism at 2.5 grams (and 4 pole motor), a Shure M 44-7 or C, or a Pickering V 15/Stanton 500 work great in those (and Jico's your best friend again) And they perform very well. And well suited for 45 RPM discs. And their stacking spindle's not horribly expensive.
 
orthophonic said:
I have never had a hum problem on the J2's, if rumble is an issue, you can. change the motor.

I have never cared for the AT6/AT60 family, they have way too much tracking error, a shame because in other respects they
are quite good.
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Out of curiosity. How much tracking error is there on the little RCA players? Their arms don't look to be very sophisticated to me :dunno:.
 
#5-Alive said:
Well, the EVG, Pfanstiehl, and TEI aftermarkets I have for my V15 / 500 all sound surprisingly good. Jico is definitely good, but not that special. Definitely not special enough to pay what they want for basic styli and shipping from Japan.

And again, nobody is saying the RCAs are as sophisticated as other machines. They are fun (remember fun?:rolleyes:), and can stack more records than any other normal changer.
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The last TEI styli I bought all had problems in terms of this cartridge. Pfanstiehl is hit and miss for me. EVG Japan was great back in the day. Genuine I rarely had trouble with ever. I switched to the Shure M 44-7 on my Dual 1010 due to the stylus situation. Pfanstiehl makes a good M-44-7 stylus which is inexpensive and consistently good.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
The last TEI styli I bought all had problems in terms of this cartridge. Pfanstiehl is hit and miss for me. EVG Japan was great back in the day. Genuine I rarely had trouble with ever. I switched to the Shure M 44-7 on my Dual 1010 due to the stylus situation. Pfanstiehl makes a good M-44-7 stylus which is inexpensive and consistently good.
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Phanstiehl seems to do decent on Shure stuff. I get the ellipticals and have had good luck with them. They aren't the greatest but very serviceable and probably better than my ears at this point.
 
Bicyclist said:
Phanstiehl seems to do decent on Shure stuff. I get the ellipticals and have had good luck with them. They aren't the greatest but very serviceable and probably better than my ears at this point.
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‘Same here. Have a Dual 1219 and 1229 with M91EDs. The Phantiehls sound good of them.
 
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