Converting A JVC to Ceramic?

[beatcomber]

I don't like something that I have to tinker with 24/7...

Who says you have to tinker 24/7 with something that isn't a BSR with ceramic cart? Actually, as longer as you're not swapping carts back and forth, it's pretty much set and forget once you set up any table.

I intend no disrespect, but I can't imagine how you can get so much satisfaction from what is generally considered the worst of the worst.

It kind of reminds me of my dad... he greatly preferred cheap Cold Duck to expensive champagne, and it wasn't because of the price - he genuinely preferred it. Horses for courses!

 

[flavio81]

I've been around ceramic cartridges more...installed them, fine tuned them once in the arm, and used them. Every turntable that I've ever bought with a magnetic cartridge has disappointed me and they have not stayed in my possession very long at all.

I feel that magnetic cartridges are too much maintenance. The weight on the back of the tonearm has to be set just right, they require a phono preamp, and they love to go skipping across a record!

I wonder what cartridges have you used? Probably magnetic cartridges with cheap aftermarket needles and wrongly set up.

ANY cartridge needs the correct VTF to perform its best. The only reason you haven't found such a problem with your ceramic cartridges is that the typical ceramic cartridge tracks at 4.0g VTF or more, which is heavy for your records, on the limit.

The typical ceramic cartridge also is not able to track all the high frequencies on the record, erasing them progressively.

Having said that, there are some acceptable, high fidelity ceramic cartridges (like the Dual mentioned above) but it's not the norm. While there are plenty of pretty fine performing magnetic cartridges that can be had for cheap, for example the AT3600 for about $20-30.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

I own a Technics SP-25, an Audio-Technica ATP-16T tonearm and use a Shure M 44-G cartridge. Outside of keeping records clean and stylus clean, no tweaking needed. And I play it 2-5 hours a day at that. Once your JVC is set up correctly, you should need no setup until you change something. 4-5 gram plus stylus forces are not kind to Stereo records under heavy play. And needles don't last long that way. And the BSR won't play the better records without higher wear for long. Ceramic cartridges cost me much more money in styli changes and record wear than getting me a good table with a magnetic cartridge installed and set up correctly. Even when I had to use a budget MM cartridge like the Stanton 500 and the Shure M 44 line. Records are getting more expensive and harder to replace. Why wear your investment out more than needed? My record collection is worth a hundred times or more than my playback systems. The AT 3600 is superb and cheap and not tweaky in use.

 

[slate1]

I swear I didn't mean to call you a "troll" firebird_man! All I was trying to say is that it would be a perfect question for a forum "troll" to ask with no other intention other than stirring up the hornets nest. I do think you're sincere - I've read through some of your other posts concering your love for all-in-one Soundesign, etc. units so I know you're being serious.

So, let's just draw it up to being eccentric - which you most certainly are, and I really do mean that without an ounce of condemnation. Hey, if it's what gets you close to the music, great! I will say that I think a lot of people here are genuinely trying to help with the p-mount suggestions. They're every bit "plug and play" as the BSR tables and are much easier on the records.... and sound better.

 

[Phototone]

You guys are forgetting that there WERE some very high quality ceramic cartridges made, particularly by Sonotone, and designed to be plugged into a magnetic cartridge input.

Also the Micro-Acoustics line of carts, while calling themselves "electret condenser" carts, essentially used ceramic generating elements and a network (internal to the cart), and they are mighty fine indeed. Alas, long discontinued.

Finally, there were ceramic carts designed for late-model consumer consoles and separates that were high compliance and intended for low tracking force use.

While there are certainly far far more choices in magnetic cartridges, not ALL ceramic cartridges were junk.

 

[flavio81]

You guys are forgetting that there WERE some very high quality ceramic cartridges made, particularly by Sonotone, and designed to be plugged into a magnetic cartridge input.

That's why i wrote: "Having said that, there are some acceptable, high fidelity ceramic cartridges (like the Dual mentioned above) but it's not the norm"

and a cheap AT3600 magnetic cartridge will sound better than 95% of those hi-fi ceramics.

The 5% rest is for frankly very exotic cartridges such as the Micro Acoustics you mention:
http://www.roger-russell.com/sonopg/micropg.htm#cartridges

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Yes, I know those 5% and most of those are unobtainium. Those 2g better ceramics on decent consoles didn't come in a suitable mounting for his JVC. And the Micro-Acoustics 2002 and better Sonotones are no longer easily had.

 

[markshan]

fb man, where are you? If you are anywhere near Pittsburgh I would like to offer to come to your home and set up your JVC for you, free of charge. Just trying to send some good Karma your way.

 

[williwoods]

That is way cool of you to offer that up!! Kudos to you Markshan.

I was about to say:

Why do you think the JVC with a decent magnetic cart would require constant fiddling? I have a JVC QLY5-f tt and a denon DL-160 cart. I set it all up over one afternoon and haven't messed with it since, other than dust management. I play my TT everyday. I just dont get why the BSR with a terrible ceramic cart would require less fiddling? It would seem that in actuality it would require more fiddling. I do have to agree why destroy your valuable records, just because of a (falsely) perceived benefit?

Hopefully you are close to markshan, just make sure to offer him a six pack or whatever.....;-)

hopefully you dont give up on your JVC yet.....

 

[scubaguy10]

Honestly, my personal experience with a BSR (back in college 30 years ago) was that they are clearly the worst turntables ever made, and they will tear up your record collection. I would run, not walk, in the opposite direction.

 

[Sticklyman]

Oh man, I really didn't mean to insinuate that you were a troll, I apologize for being unclear. I was making tongue in cheek reference for one of our dearly departed (read: banned) brethren with the trailer-home comment. He had a way of stirring up the hornet's nest and catching the attention of moderators. Apologies all around.

 

[firebird_man]

No hard feelings to anyone. I understand completely what you all were stating and I appreciate the concern for my record collection. The comments just struck me as rude, but perhaps I acted too fast and assumed the worst.

I would take you up on the offer to come set up my JVC, but unfortunately, I live in Kentucky...and that would be quite a trip for you to make. I do appreciate the kind offer, though. Not many people would stick their neck out for someone else like that.

But I have decided to stick with the BSR. I haven't had any problems in the past and I've been using these turntables for many years. Thanks to everyone for your inputs. I really do appreciate it.