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New cartridge for a vintage JVC

B

Burro

Active Member
I'm gonna take my misbehaving JVC AL-F3 BKX to be restored next week, hopefully. I'm confused about getting a new cartridge and stylus for it. There is a Shure M99E on it now. I would like to upgrade to a better cartridge in the <$200 range if they exist. I think the tonearm is a "P" mount but I'm not sure. Can someone point me in the right direction to get a cart that fits this TT? I read where the options are limited on this type of cart.

Thanks.
 
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Burro said:
I'm gonna take my misbehaving JVC AL-F3 BKX to be restored next week, hopefully. I'm confused about getting a new cartridge and stylus for it. There is a Shure M99E on it now. I would like to upgrade to a better cartridge in the <$200 range if they exist. I think the tonearm is a "P" mount but I'm not sure. Can someone point me in the right direction to get a cart that fits this TT? I read where the options are limited on this type of cart.
Click to expand...
The only new p-mount cartridges I've been able to find are two economy models from Audio Technica (AT81CP at $29 and the AT85EP at $39) and, apparently, the Prestige line from Grado. Past comments about Grado p-mounts suggest they are best suited to arms with an adjustable counterweight since they track better at 1.6 to 1.75 grams (according to users on forums). Your JVC has a fixed counterweight so tracks at a non-adjustable 1.25 grams. LP Gear lists a lot of discontinued models; they might work fine, but my limited experience of old stock cartridges and styli has not been a happy one, so I stick to current production, factory-fresh options. When you take your turntable in for service, the people there might have some suggestions for you.
 
Does this turntable have sentimental value to you?
If not,before you start sinking money into it,I would suggest you look around to see what these sell for,determine how much the restoration and cartridge is going to cost you,then decide if you want to go further with the turntable.
 
You really should determine for sure whether it's P-mount or not. It's simple to determine. A P-mount has a single screw coming in from the side. (Left pic.) A standard mount has two screws on top. (Right pic.)
 

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Artie said:
You really should determine for sure whether it's P-mount or not. It's simple to determine. A P-mount has a single screw coming in from the side. (Left pic.) A standard mount has two screws on top. (Right pic.)
Click to expand...

Unless it's an anomaly it's a P-mount

Screenshot_20230903-082935.png
 
Burro said:
I'm gonna take my misbehaving JVC AL-F3 BKX to be restored next week, hopefully. I'm confused about getting a new cartridge and stylus for it. There is a Shure M99E on it now. I would like to upgrade to a better cartridge in the <$200 range if they exist. I think the tonearm is a "P" mount but I'm not sure. Can someone point me in the right direction to get a cart that fits this TT? I read where the options are limited on this type of cart.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Saw this but didn't watch, you might be interested.

 
Yes, very few new T4P cartridges today. Your best option is to invest in a new stylus for your actual Shure cartridge. JICO makes good ones.
 
Burro said:
(...) There is a Shure M99E on it now. (...)
Click to expand...

That's not a bad cartridge as such - just the original N99E needle, while pretty decent for the price back then, is not really good yet on the absolute scale. Hence I'd suggest to consider an upgrade with LPGear's VividLine, Turntableneedle's hyperelliptical or Jico's hyperelliptical or nude elliptical replacement needle for the N110HE.

That being said, there'd be even higher quality replacement/upgrade needle options, but I don't think, that these would still make sense for an AL-F3 in terms of price-performance.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
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