Is there a way I can test this before dropping 20 quid on another second hand TC8? Could I hook up an aux cable to the audio input points from the deck to the amp and then connect it to a mobile phone on minimum volume?
Yes, with meter on shorting mode (current measurement) taping the red pickup output creates a buzz which is louder with louder volume on the pot - so pickup it is?
Pick up may be dead - however it should be clear that this unit is useless to
restore, because it has zero value, but we did not see pictures until post 10.
restore, because it has zero value, but we did not see pictures until post 10.
Alright, well i just hooked a 3.5mm aux from my phone to the TT audio outputs (disconnected the cartridge first). Happy to report that the music played just fine through the system. So that seems to confirm to me that the issue is the cartridge, given that continuity from the wires to it is fine and it doesn't send any sound with either stylus. I'm gonna order another cartridge now.
Thanks so much for all the help folks, really appreciate it.
Thanks so much for all the help folks, really appreciate it.
You could join the two channels by the means of two 20-50 kOhm resistors and a coupling cap.
Don't play any valued records on it - crystal pickups are not kind.
Surprised at the single pentode - isn't a triode-pentode more usual in this type of equipment?
Surprised at the single pentode - isn't a triode-pentode more usual in this type of equipment?
Hi folks,
Almost there! Got the new cartridge, with very sharp, clean looking styli on it.
It passes sound to the speaker, so a definite improvement on no sound - however there is a significant ground hum when the speaker volume is turned up and the output volume is very quiet, probably quieter than the hum. Any suggestions?
Almost there! Got the new cartridge, with very sharp, clean looking styli on it.
It passes sound to the speaker, so a definite improvement on no sound - however there is a significant ground hum when the speaker volume is turned up and the output volume is very quiet, probably quieter than the hum. Any suggestions?
What cartridge did you find?
Significant hum at full volume is probably normal - now we expect better sound from our phones than we used to get from our audio. When this was made, hi-fi would have been something to aspire to, not a generic term for all audio equipment.
How quiet is quiet?
Could be the replacement cartridge has a lower output than the original.
Significant hum at full volume is probably normal - now we expect better sound from our phones than we used to get from our audio. When this was made, hi-fi would have been something to aspire to, not a generic term for all audio equipment.
How quiet is quiet?
Could be the replacement cartridge has a lower output than the original.
Mono or stereo cartridge?
Remember the warnings printed on the inner sleeve of stereo records?
Ceramic cartridge output may be from 100mV up to 800mV for a high output type.
And I did say I was surprised at a single valve stage amplifier.
Remember the warnings printed on the inner sleeve of stereo records?
Ceramic cartridge output may be from 100mV up to 800mV for a high output type.
And I did say I was surprised at a single valve stage amplifier.
Hey thanks for the response.
It's a mono cartridge, identical to the old one, it's a TC-8 cartridge with two styli, one for 78s and one for LPs.
It is so quiet that it's barely louder than the sound one hears from the stylus itself as it runs over the grooves - totally unusable.
What are the warnings on stereo records you mention? I'm using a stereo record - is that the problem?
It's a mono cartridge, identical to the old one, it's a TC-8 cartridge with two styli, one for 78s and one for LPs.
It is so quiet that it's barely louder than the sound one hears from the stylus itself as it runs over the grooves - totally unusable.
What are the warnings on stereo records you mention? I'm using a stereo record - is that the problem?
Some of the old sapphires are not suitable for stereo LPs, but
the convertible cantilever indicates this is not the case here.
Most old ceramic PUs are no longer useable today even if NOS.
the convertible cantilever indicates this is not the case here.
Most old ceramic PUs are no longer useable today even if NOS.
If I may chip in:
It sounds like your replacement TC-8 cartridge may also be dead, just like as_audio has speculated. From where did you get it?
Old mono ceramic cartridges are not suitable for playing stereo records because they lack the necessary vertical compliance required to allow the stylus to move freely in the vertical direction, as is dictated by the stereo groove on the record. Mono records only require the stylus to move in the horizontal direction.
It is an EL84 valve, as is just visible in the attached photograph.
It sounds like your replacement TC-8 cartridge may also be dead, just like as_audio has speculated. From where did you get it?
Old mono ceramic cartridges are not suitable for playing stereo records because they lack the necessary vertical compliance required to allow the stylus to move freely in the vertical direction, as is dictated by the stereo groove on the record. Mono records only require the stylus to move in the horizontal direction.
It is an EL84 valve, as is just visible in the attached photograph.
Attachments
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Interesting thread? -
Help! TC8 Cartridge - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum
Note the UCL82 mentioned is a triode-pentode giving 2 stages of amplification.
Your single stage valve may have used the higher output TC8-H.
Help! TC8 Cartridge - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum
Note the UCL82 mentioned is a triode-pentode giving 2 stages of amplification.
Your single stage valve may have used the higher output TC8-H.
You could directly connect the tonearm cable to any amplifier input.
(Not a phono input which is designed for mm cartridges with 5mV output).
Admittedly, the 100s of mV is less than the 2V output of a CD player but it would be listenable and would test the cartridge.
(Not a phono input which is designed for mm cartridges with 5mV output).
Admittedly, the 100s of mV is less than the 2V output of a CD player but it would be listenable and would test the cartridge.
Yes, the EL84 will definitely require a high output ceramic cartridge, denoted by the addition of the letter H - for example the BSR X5H (output 1V @1cm/s).
The one linked to below has been tried and tested:
BSR X5H Original New Mono Cartridge with Stylus & Clip
The one linked to below has been tried and tested:
BSR X5H Original New Mono Cartridge with Stylus & Clip