Recommendation for a cheap cart that's good on 50's/60's equip

[DavGoodlin]

Im learning some record-specific considerations here but it sounds like the best cart for old records is a magnetic, 78s are all mono so no issue there.

I had a Philco-branded V-M with a powerpoint. It is a self contained flip-over stylus-ceramic like a Astatic 710. It should work without adding any more preamp stages

[maxhifi]

Originally Posted by mr_rye89

This may be a bit pricy but at least the stylii are cheap, but my favorite cart for mono is the GE VRII triple play. It has a turnover stylus for microgroove/78 much like the ceramic carts. I use mine on a Rek O Kut with a Japanese Gray 108 clone. This cart tracks at 4-6 grams for microgroove, 5+ for 78. output is somewhere around 10mv. Don't use it on stereo records as it has no vertical compliance.

You also might be able to grab a Pickering NP/AC/Stanton 400 for cheap. it specs similar to the GE but is stereo, and won't ruin stereo records.

Sounds like an awesome setup, have you got a photo? Those tonearms are going up in value, too.

[WISCOJIM]

Originally Posted by WISCOJIM

I haven't used any yet. I bought them to try in my RCA 45rpm players and the Ristaucrats.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mPOWaTEq-E

.

I installed one last night in my neighbors Ristaucrat. Sounds great, plenty of volume compared to the old Astatic he had in there. I mounted it with double-sided foam tape, making sure I got the positioning just right.

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[benman94]

Originally Posted by mr_rye89

This may be a bit pricy but at least the stylii are cheap, but my favorite cart for mono is the GE VRII triple play. It has a turnover stylus for microgroove/78 much like the ceramic carts. I use mine on a Rek O Kut with a Japanese Gray 108 clone. This cart tracks at 4-6 grams for microgroove, 5+ for 78. output is somewhere around 10mv. Don't use it on stereo records as it has no vertical compliance.

You also might be able to grab a Pickering NP/AC/Stanton 400 for cheap. it specs similar to the GE but is stereo, and won't ruin stereo records.

+1

I use the earlier GE RPX-050. It's similar to the VRII. Tracks a bit heavier at 6 to 8 grams, and has a more rolled off high end which makes rough 78s sound a bit better.

The Pickering NP/AC is officially out of production and people are snapping them up for spares, I know I have. They'll track anything and do a decent job masking surface noise on poorer records.

I'd give the overall nod to the GE carts for sound quality, but the Pickering is cheaper. I bought my last NP/AC for $15.

One cart I've always wanted to try is the 78 only RPX-010 from '47 or '48. Tracks heavy but those GEs have a way of burying the scratches and pops...

[mr_rye89]

Originally Posted by maxhifi

Sounds like an awesome setup, have you got a photo? Those tonearms are going up in value, too.

It's been a while, I'll take one tonight.

[mr_rye89]

The Three Armed Monster! The big tonearm is an Argonne AR-500 (Japanese clone of a Gray 108)



GE VRII Triple play Close up. Set up for mono LP and 78



Some mismatch Stanton/Pickering stuff for "nice" stereo records



And more Stanton and mystery Pickering Stylus (conical) for not so nice stereo records



And yes i need to find a proper rest for that

[Electronic M]

Also need a better way to "change" your tracking force.

[maxhifi]

Really nice stuff! Thanks for sharing