Garrard AT6 Mk II cartridge needed - what to get?

[Rich K.]

Just bought a Garrard AT6 Mk II record changer on EBay, along with a Spanish "Garron" plinth to mount it in. Neither has arrived yet (just ordered, as I said), but the Garrard comes with an Acos cartridge in the headshell.

I have been told that the Acos cartridges are pretty low-end, and I also have no idea what condition this one is in. I want to replace it with something better. Magnetic cartridges are OUT, as I want one that has a turn-over stylus rather than having to change out the stylus for different record speeds (my record collection spans from before WWI to the 1980's, and I like listening to all of them!).

So, with that constraint in mind, what can I get in the line of a vintage crystal or ceramic cartridge, that takes dual-sided styli (micro-groove + 78RPM), that is reasonably decent quality without breaking the bank?

 

[stereofisher]

If the cart is good, look Gary at Voiceofmusicenthuseists for a new stylus. Welcome to AK,

Eric

 

[Rich K.]

Would something like the BSR SC12M be a better choice than the Acos?

 

[Rich K.]

For that matter, what do you do - aside from converting to a magnetic cartridge (which, as I mentioned already, I don't want to do) - if you want to connect an older turntable to a more modern stereo with a phono input originally intended for magnetic cartridge turntables?

 

[stereofisher]

For that matter, what do you do - aside from converting to a magnetic cartridge (which, as I mentioned already, I don't want to do) - if you want to connect an older turntable to a more modern stereo with a phono input originally intended for magnetic cartridge turntables?

Been there and done that. You hook up your turntable through the aux input. Magnetic carts need a boost..low voltage. Phono inputs have a preamp to boost the signal. Ceramics don't need that. You can also run it through the tape input. On a amp that has a tuner input the turntable will work there also.

 

[gadget73]

only thing is that most ceramic carts want a several megohm input impedance, and you aren't going to get that with a typical aux input. Without the proper load the output goes down considerably and it messes with the frequency response.

personally I'd go MM using a cartridge that has both LP and 78 stylii available and swap between them. Or get a spare headshell and swap shells, add weight to one if needed so they balance out the same.

 

[tcdriver]

Welcome to AudioKarma. gadget73's comments are spot-on regarding the input impedance issue. One can buy or build a buffer that would have a high input impedance suitable for a ceramic cartridge.