JWalker1013
New Member
Is there anything special that needs to be done to convert a ceramic TT to magnetic?
Converting from ceramic to magnetic
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JBL GUY
Addicted Member
Without knowing the exact turntable...
What type of mounting does the ceramic cartridge use?
What is the tracking force range available for the tonearm?
An estimate of the effective mass of the tonearm.
You might have to add a separate ground wire.
Is the ceramic cartridge mono or stereo, if mono and you want to change to a magnetic stereo phono cartridge, then the tone arm will need to be rewired for stereo
You did not specify the exact appliction, but a phono stage (phono preamp) may be needed.
These are just some very general suggestions.
What type of mounting does the ceramic cartridge use?
What is the tracking force range available for the tonearm?
An estimate of the effective mass of the tonearm.
You might have to add a separate ground wire.
Is the ceramic cartridge mono or stereo, if mono and you want to change to a magnetic stereo phono cartridge, then the tone arm will need to be rewired for stereo
You did not specify the exact appliction, but a phono stage (phono preamp) may be needed.
These are just some very general suggestions.
JWalker1013
New Member
It's an old BSR changer. I've seen one with a magnetic cartridge in it. I don't know any other specifics (a little new to the game). I just know that ceramic is unhealthy for your records, and I like the changer. It is stereo.
JBL GUY
Addicted Member
You will have to determine or guesstimate the tracking force of the turntable so you can choose a suitable phono cartridge.
And an estimate of the mass of the tonearm will help in choosing the phono cartridge.
You will only need a phono preamp if what you are planing to connect the turntable to does not have a magnetic phono input.
And you will need to remove the existing cartridge and determine how it is mounted and see if its mounting configuration will match the new phono cartridge.
A picture of the turntable might help.
janikphoto
Lunatic Member
In my opinion, BSR tables are unhealthy for your records in general. They are not the best tables in town! It would be more cost effective to just get a better quality table that already accepts magnetic carts, and chances are it'll fit into your system with some minor effort. I'd look at a Dual 10xx or 12xx series, as they can be retrofitted into many consoles, assuming you are puling the BSR from a console.
Unless the stereo also has a phono input that isn't being used. I have a S-C integrated that was part of a console, and it had an input for both types of carts.
Ceramic carts suck. Do yourself a favour and get a better one immediately. I'm not saying that to be a snob. But crappy cartridges will ruin your vinyl. . Records are 20 bucks a pop for new. You can get an At95e for less than 50. Just do it. If you want a shortcut to audiophile heaven...get a denon 103r
JBL GUY
Addicted Member
Before accepting any recommendations, be sure that you can mount the magnetic phono cartridge.
It is not unusual for a ceramic cartridge to have a different mounting scheme than a standard magnetic phono cartridge.
And again tracking force has to be taken into account.
The At95e's tracking range is IIRC about 1.5 to 2.5 grams and it would be safe to say that your turntable's tracking force might be greater than that.
These are all unknowns at this time.
It is true that your BSR turntable may be hard on the records that you play, but if you like it and just want to have it work with a magnetic cartridge for you own reasons then that is okay.
You might want to reserve its use to your less than perfect/favorite/keeper records.
If you want a turntable that can be your daily driver for all of your records, including your best records, then this is not the turntable to use.
Again a picture of the turntable including a picture of the current phono cartridge would be great help.
Some ceramic phono cartridges just clip into a mounting bracket, if you can remove the phono cartridge and give us a picture or any brand or numbers that might be on it.
Again, this may not be the best turntable for your records, but if you just want to get it to work with a magnetic phono cartridge just because you can, then that is fine.
It is not unusual for a ceramic cartridge to have a different mounting scheme than a standard magnetic phono cartridge.
And again tracking force has to be taken into account.
The At95e's tracking range is IIRC about 1.5 to 2.5 grams and it would be safe to say that your turntable's tracking force might be greater than that.
These are all unknowns at this time.
It is true that your BSR turntable may be hard on the records that you play, but if you like it and just want to have it work with a magnetic cartridge for you own reasons then that is okay.
You might want to reserve its use to your less than perfect/favorite/keeper records.
If you want a turntable that can be your daily driver for all of your records, including your best records, then this is not the turntable to use.
Again a picture of the turntable including a picture of the current phono cartridge would be great help.
Some ceramic phono cartridges just clip into a mounting bracket, if you can remove the phono cartridge and give us a picture or any brand or numbers that might be on it.
Again, this may not be the best turntable for your records, but if you just want to get it to work with a magnetic phono cartridge just because you can, then that is fine.
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JBL GUY
Addicted Member
BTW, if you look on the bottom of the main part of the turntable, the part that has the platter and tonearm on it, there might be a model number.
If so LP GEAR has a listing for BSR stylus by turntable and form that we may be able to tell what cartridge you have now.
Just sharing some additional information if you might be interested.
If so LP GEAR has a listing for BSR stylus by turntable and form that we may be able to tell what cartridge you have now.
Just sharing some additional information if you might be interested.
If you decide to use the ceramic cartridge, you could possibly use one of these :
http://www.kabusa.com/cermag.htm
But the cost of this device may be best put towards a better turntable.
Les.
http://www.kabusa.com/cermag.htm
But the cost of this device may be best put towards a better turntable.
Les.
JWalker1013
New Member
I don't necessarily need to keep the BSR per say, Just would like to have a changer. If anyone knows of another changer that has a magnetic cart I'd love to hear about it. It is in a console. The headshell is just that, a plastic shell and can be modified easily. I just need to know if anything electronically needs to be done or if i can just wire it in the same as the other cart. It is a 4 wire set up, and I do need a preamp, that much I know.
If the turntable can be fitted with a moving magnet cartridge (and I don't see any reason wht it shouldn't be possible) and the phonostage or amplifier is compatible with a moving magnet cartridge, there will be no need for any other adaptor or interfacing device.
janikphoto
Lunatic Member
See my previous post... a Dual table will be MUCH better than the BSR in almost every respect. They have changer spindles available and already have a magnetic cart. Depending on the hole from the BSR, you might get away with a very minor adjustment using a jigsaw. At most, you'd cut a new panel/baffle to sit over the BSR hole. This is assuming you are pulling it from a console. If the BSR is a stand-alone table, then fitment isn't even an issue.
beat_truck
Addicted Member
If that BSR changer has a plastic platter, you will have MAJOR hum problems with a MM cartridge.
DustyOldPile
Vinyl Goddess
You'll be throwing valuable time and money at a bad turntable. Just being honest here...the BSR's that came with a ceramic cartridge were not good.
I would seek out the Technics SL-1650 or another of the Technics changers, or the aforementioned Dual models.
B-I-C made a decent turntable in the 960 and 980, but they can be cantankerous due to age and the methods and lubricants used to manufacture them over 35 years ago.
Duals can also be finicky, but less so. They were and are a much better table than the B-I-C's.
Other good changers were offered by ELAC Miracord.
I would seek out the Technics SL-1650 or another of the Technics changers, or the aforementioned Dual models.
B-I-C made a decent turntable in the 960 and 980, but they can be cantankerous due to age and the methods and lubricants used to manufacture them over 35 years ago.
Duals can also be finicky, but less so. They were and are a much better table than the B-I-C's.
Other good changers were offered by ELAC Miracord.
JWalker1013
New Member
thanks to everyone for the help.
Doug G.
Lunatic Member
The Dual automatic system is goofy, however, with the umbrella-type spindle. It depends on records being well balanced all the way around and a lot of them aren't. It may be OK until the last record which, if it isn't balanced can tilt one way or another and drop unreliably.
The Dual tables are NOT better than the BICs. BICs are quieter and the change system is much better with a reliable two point support system. It never fails.
Doug
The Dual tables are NOT better than the BICs. BICs are quieter and the change system is much better with a reliable two point support system. It never fails.
Doug
Son-of-Vere
Super Member
Since I have actually done this, figured I'd chime in here. I put in a BOTL AT cart on mine. It did have a .5 inch standard mount underneath the adapter for the ceramic cart.
At minimum VFT it weighed in at 3 grams, if you leave any antiskate on, it wouln't trip the return mechanism. It still has issues with some records.
And it hums like a substation (I did install a separate ground). The 2 pole motor is just going to do that. I can't use it on my main rig. I also don't put good records on it. But it is fun to have a changer, I may try to find a better one someday.
At minimum VFT it weighed in at 3 grams, if you leave any antiskate on, it wouln't trip the return mechanism. It still has issues with some records.
And it hums like a substation (I did install a separate ground). The 2 pole motor is just going to do that. I can't use it on my main rig. I also don't put good records on it. But it is fun to have a changer, I may try to find a better one someday.
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"Hums like a substation" Gotta remember that one
I've mounted Shure M44-7s on two old changers, a Collaro and a Webster. Both work great, track at 3 grams with some mods, and change reliably. There is low level hum that's not audible over the music.
It's more of a novelty and a way to keep old consoles going than for sound quality, I'll go to the main rig for serious listening.
It's more of a novelty and a way to keep old consoles going than for sound quality, I'll go to the main rig for serious listening.
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