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Banpa BP2ATC: The "Crosley Cartridge" Successor

xXSHADoW93Xx

xXSHADoW93Xx

Active Member
Recently, Banpa started selling a new ceramic cartridge which is made to retrofit existing turntables that use the infamous "Crosley Cartridge" (this includes any turntable that used the original Chuo-Denshi CZ-800). Decided to pick up 4 of them to try out on my test record players.


And this is the cartridge in question:
https://www.amazon.com/banpa-Turntable-Cartridge-Replacement-BP2ATC/dp/B071WMFGHL

One of the folks on the record players facebook group pointed out that a 274-DS73 (LP/78) or a 274-DS77 (dual LP) stylus will fit and work on the Banpa cartridge.

It also fits on any turntables that use the AUE CP-30 cartridge (Such as the Crosley Stack-O-Matic), and the Varco TN4B (various vintage turntables).

Seems to be based on the BSR SC12H as the stylus for that cartridge is an exact fit on the Banpa
 
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I ordered one and it arrived today. Haven't tested it yet, but I measured it and the Banpa cartridge weighs 2.3 grams, versus 1.7 grams for a "JC" Chinese CZ800-clone (both with stylus installed). So when retrofitting one, you should keep in mind that it'll increase your tracking force by 0.6 grams unless you have some way to compensate for it.
 
Interesting.
It's about time they make an "upgrade" cartridge for those type of players that have the ability to play 78s, but only come with an LP stylus that has to be physically changed, risking damage in the process, to play 78s. They don't see much use because of the high tracking force and crap quality, but I may have pick up a couple of these up for my record grinders that use the CZ800. One being a Numark PT01 that I picked up because it will run on batteries and a "Tech Play" I picked up because it will play USB thumb drives. I'll have more in the cartridges than I paid for the players, though.:rolleyes:

To bring the tracking force down some, I was thinking I could probably put a stick-on lead wheel weight under the backside of the tonearm where it is out of sight.
 
vwestlife said:
I ordered one and it arrived today. Haven't tested it yet, but I measured it and the Banpa cartridge weighs 2.3 grams, versus 1.7 grams for a "JC" Chinese CZ800-clone (both with stylus installed). So when retrofitting one, you should keep in mind that it'll increase your tracking force by 0.6 grams unless you have some way to compensate for it.
Click to expand...
Keep in mind that the factory installed stylus is a dual LP stylus, despite one side being marked "78". Again, a 274-DS73 is the compatible replacement stylus due to being literally an updated BSR SC12 clone
 
@vwestlife

here's a look at the Banpa BP2ATC side-by-side with the BSR SC 12H:

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ALSO, for a single-tip stylus, instead of a flip-over stylus, it's 274-D7
 
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Cool stuff in this thread! I tried clicking on the Amazon link at the top of this page, but instead of the BP2ATC, it now instead shows the BP1ATC, which appears to be more typical of what Crosley includes with their cheapies, with a red plastic stylus grip instead of using a flip-over needle. :confused: Any idea where the style of BP2ATC mentioned in this thread can be purchased?
-Adam
 
Looks like it may have been discontinued, or is out of stock at the moment. There's an eBay seller which has one BP2ATC left, but they're charging an astronomical $113.60 for it!

But it really is just a modern clone of the Varco TN4B, so if you can find one of those, it'll work just as well, if not better.
 
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