Arthur Smith
Super Member
It can be done...
Crosley Cruiser Mods
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vwestlife
Super Member
Bypassing the internal amp and speakers and connecting the output of the cartridge directly to an amplifier with a high-impedance ceramic/crystal phono input will make the largest improvement in sound quality. Some of the other brands of these little suitcase record players do properly match the impedance of the ceramic cartridge, but Crosley does not.
Arthur Smith
Super Member
I am finding that it's really not as bad of a little player as everyone has said it was. I think owning several good component turntables as I do, prepared me not to expect miracles. But for what it is, I have been pleased. So much so that I bought a second one, in black. I am going to keep one for 45's, and sent away for a 78RPM stylus, and will dedicate that player for my shellac.
What are these?
Lazerbrains
Member
It seems to me you prove in your video that it is "bad as everyone says it is". Tinny speakers with no bass and tracking force of over 5 grams that you have to add Mickey Mouse weights to the back. Don't understand why anyone who "owns several good component tables" would think this is anything other than the plastic piece of carp that it obviously is. Sorry, I'm not convinced.
Arthur Smith
Super Member
Have you tried one? They are actually a lot of fun, especially if you own several component turntables.
chris_f
Active Member
They are good record players, I have bought two of them. One for my girlfriends 6yo daughter and one for my 7yo niece. They love them. I wouldnt play anything I own on them, diamond stylus or not. If you are going to "mod" it and bypass the internal amp and speakers imho you are wasting your time, considering the number of vintage "turntables" available for the same amount of money.Like the Akai I picked up at Goodwill for $29.
Arthur Smith
Super Member
If you watch the video, you'll see the "mods" I did are reversible, and non invasive. These players are a lot of fun for what they are.
polypetalous
Super Member
Caveat: Only "briefly" watched the video...
I'm just curious what the benefit/motivation is for putting the effort into the Crosley?
I too have owned and experimented with a Crosley (a very early "portable" circa 2005), and even had it hooked into a home AV setup for a little while and played records on it.
It DID work but ultimately couldn't justify it as single record player with other/better options available.
The stack-o-matic mods and use I kinda get "more" being that there arent any new stacker options out there.
I'm all about "use what you got," but with other options i come away with a big "why?"
Ben
I'm just curious what the benefit/motivation is for putting the effort into the Crosley?
I too have owned and experimented with a Crosley (a very early "portable" circa 2005), and even had it hooked into a home AV setup for a little while and played records on it.
It DID work but ultimately couldn't justify it as single record player with other/better options available.
The stack-o-matic mods and use I kinda get "more" being that there arent any new stacker options out there.
I'm all about "use what you got," but with other options i come away with a big "why?"
Ben
Arthur Smith
Super Member
Because it's fun, and because, I can. Stuffing the thing with fiberglass, and attaching a counterweight to the back of the tonearm hardly constitutes "effort". And it made the player more enjoyable. YMMV
polypetalous
Super Member
Which is a fine answer and I can understand the "fun" in it.
Heck I have also rebuilt and modded a few BSR's, which in my experience was more rewarding than my Crosley experiments.
I say "drive on" my friend.
Ben
Arthur Smith
Super Member
I actually have two diamond styli being delivered today. I found out about them thanks to vwestlife's great video.
I have 3 for their era budget tables,XR-XA,Sansui SR-212 and a Trio/Kenwood 1033,all of them I have I had to do slight work on but not much and they sound very good,I know the limitations and take that on board though I have a very good sound.
Over here a used Sansui 212 can be picked up for around £70-100 despite the sharks,its a cheapo for its era and it works.
Despite the cost of the Crosley and the upgrade of the stylus when you receive it,when playing a record tap the plinth and the furniture the Crosley is sat on,If the cartridge picks that up its a doomed fail despite your efforts.
None of my budget TTs pick up that and at a price point the '70 cheapos bulldoze the crap you are trying to sink money into and improve.
Over here a used Sansui 212 can be picked up for around £70-100 despite the sharks,its a cheapo for its era and it works.
Despite the cost of the Crosley and the upgrade of the stylus when you receive it,when playing a record tap the plinth and the furniture the Crosley is sat on,If the cartridge picks that up its a doomed fail despite your efforts.
None of my budget TTs pick up that and at a price point the '70 cheapos bulldoze the crap you are trying to sink money into and improve.
vwestlife
Super Member
Keep in mind the amount of inflation that has occurred since then. An "inexpensive" turntable that cost $179 in the late 1970s is equivalent to over $600 in today's money.
Arthur Smith
Super Member
These things are fun. That's a good point.
vwestlife
Super Member
I just discovered that there's a version of these little briefcase style record players that comes with a standard half-inch mount headshell with an Audio-Technica AT3600L magnetic cartridge and adjustable counterweight. It's called the Satchmi Motorino. The only problem is, it's only sold in the Philippines! But Crosley, Victrola, etc. could certainly offer the same thing in North America if there was enough demand for it.
https://satchmi.com/motorino/
https://satchmi.com/motorino/
Slick Willie
Addicted Member
At the end of the day...you still have a Crosley.
Just sayin'.
Just sayin'.
