I acquired recently an EMT TSD-15 cartridge (MC) and I would like to know if someone on this forum has "play" with it, and could give me some advises on the best loading network for it (R and C).
The turntable is the EMT 938, but suited with the MM preamp, the RIAA preamp seems astonishly good even if there is a lot of 741 op amps !!! I am trying some fet input / non feedback designs to replace it, so one more question : is it best to use a step up transformer or a multiple fet input stage (low noise).
Before I get the TSD-15, the T.T. was suited with a Stanton cartridge (broadcast use).
I am newbie in Vinyl so a lot of advises are welcome.
Thanks.
The turntable is the EMT 938, but suited with the MM preamp, the RIAA preamp seems astonishly good even if there is a lot of 741 op amps !!! I am trying some fet input / non feedback designs to replace it, so one more question : is it best to use a step up transformer or a multiple fet input stage (low noise).
Before I get the TSD-15, the T.T. was suited with a Stanton cartridge (broadcast use).
I am newbie in Vinyl so a lot of advises are welcome.
Thanks.
Hi Justcallmedad ,
try 200 Ohms , capacity is included in the Phonocable to Pre-Pre ,
and is normaly uncritical for MCs .
Greetings from Germany
Jürgen
try 200 Ohms , capacity is included in the Phonocable to Pre-Pre ,
and is normaly uncritical for MCs .
Greetings from Germany
Jürgen
Hi audiotux,
This turntable is not suited with a Pre-Pre, the original cartridge was a MM Stanton, so I don't think that the cap is included in the phonocable, but I have read in some web sites that the TSD-15 is suited with a 0.33uF tantal ???
Links to TSD-15 specifications:
fabtech
fabtech - pdf
EMT -> then "Tondose"
I tend to be agree with you about the cap, but why EMT equipped the TSD-15 with 0.33uF ?
audiotux said:
This turntable is not suited with a Pre-Pre, the original cartridge was a MM Stanton, so I don't think that the cap is included in the phonocable, but I have read in some web sites that the TSD-15 is suited with a 0.33uF tantal ???
Links to TSD-15 specifications:
fabtech
fabtech - pdf
EMT -> then "Tondose"
I tend to be agree with you about the cap, but why EMT equipped the TSD-15 with 0.33uF ?
Hi Justcallmedad ,
the capacity is included by ( or trough ) the Phonocable ,
that means all the cable from cadrige to preamp and is not critical
for MC . Feel free to try it yourself , with variable settings .
200 Ohm is a good startingpoint with a Pre-Pre
Greetings from Germany
Jürgen
the capacity is included by ( or trough ) the Phonocable ,
that means all the cable from cadrige to preamp and is not critical
for MC . Feel free to try it yourself , with variable settings .
200 Ohm is a good startingpoint with a Pre-Pre
Greetings from Germany
Jürgen
Hi audiotux,
Yes I know what you mean, but in the TSD-15 cartridge, as shown in the link (EMT then Tondose) in the last photography we can see two small caps that looks very much like tantalum capacitors as indicated on the (fabtech-pdf) datasheet.
Why a so high capacitor ???
I know that for an MC cartridge the loading cap is less critical than for an MM one, but why a so high value and moreover a tantalum one !!!
Do you have an EMT/TSD-15 turntable?
Greetings from France
Yes I know what you mean, but in the TSD-15 cartridge, as shown in the link (EMT then Tondose) in the last photography we can see two small caps that looks very much like tantalum capacitors as indicated on the (fabtech-pdf) datasheet.
Why a so high capacitor ???
I know that for an MC cartridge the loading cap is less critical than for an MM one, but why a so high value and moreover a tantalum one !!!
Do you have an EMT/TSD-15 turntable?
Greetings from France
No capacitor needed...
Moving coil cartridges are lower impedance than moving magnet, so if they need capacitance to fiddle their response, we should expect it to be a much higher value. Note that the specsheet you linked to notes that the capacitor is built-in, so this implies that if it's needed it's already there. In other words, don't worry about it.
Further, I looked at the diagram for the EMT938 moving coil pre-amplifier for the TSD 15 cartridge. It loads the cartridge with a 221 (220 would be fine) Ohm resistor, but no loading capacitor.
Moving coil cartridges are lower impedance than moving magnet, so if they need capacitance to fiddle their response, we should expect it to be a much higher value. Note that the specsheet you linked to notes that the capacitor is built-in, so this implies that if it's needed it's already there. In other words, don't worry about it.
Further, I looked at the diagram for the EMT938 moving coil pre-amplifier for the TSD 15 cartridge. It loads the cartridge with a 221 (220 would be fine) Ohm resistor, but no loading capacitor.
Hi EC8010,
Many thanks for the info 🙂
What surprises me is the so high value of the loading cap, together with the tantalum technology, according to the EMT website.
Could you post here, or e-mail me the moving coil preamplifier diagram ? Even if you have the entire RIAA amplifier I will be interested to have a look on it .
Many thanks for the info 🙂
What surprises me is the so high value of the loading cap, together with the tantalum technology, according to the EMT website.
Could you post here, or e-mail me the moving coil preamplifier diagram ? Even if you have the entire RIAA amplifier I will be interested to have a look on it .
Thanks EC8010,
It seems that in my TSD 15 sfl, there is no capacitor, so it's o.k. and like you said this is not the capacitor the most important, but the loading resistor.
Firsts tests seems to lead to a value around 100R.
If you have a complete schematic of the EMT preamp, I am interested in having a look at it, to see how they can get a quite good sound from a 5533 and lots of 741!!!
Now the continuation of this "adventures" will be in the thread called RIAA preamp.
It seems that in my TSD 15 sfl, there is no capacitor, so it's o.k. and like you said this is not the capacitor the most important, but the loading resistor.
Firsts tests seems to lead to a value around 100R.
If you have a complete schematic of the EMT preamp, I am interested in having a look at it, to see how they can get a quite good sound from a 5533 and lots of 741!!!
Now the continuation of this "adventures" will be in the thread called RIAA preamp.
I would be interested in the full EMT preamp schematic too!
Dad, the pre may be good, but don't forget the TSD-15, which is
a very fine cartridge indeed. In addition to which I am green with envy for your 938.
The capacitor is an integral part of the generator design. You can see it clearly in just about all EMT offshoots:
Dad, the pre may be good, but don't forget the TSD-15, which is
a very fine cartridge indeed. In addition to which I am green with envy for your 938.
The capacitor is an integral part of the generator design. You can see it clearly in just about all EMT offshoots:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
I get a look at the cartridge today, the loading capacitors are include in it, their value is 0.33uF (330nF) tantalum.
They are smd parts, quite difficult and risky to unsolder…
So, what people here think about this, before I try to remove them ?.
They are smd parts, quite difficult and risky to unsolder…
So, what people here think about this, before I try to remove them ?.
Hi werner
O.k. ... Could you say more about the reasons to not remove them, I know that they are intended to flatten the upper band 10 - 20kHz, but a cap generally don't improve the sound and I think specially a tantalum one. I can manage with the loading resistor together with the MC inductance if it really needs to be linearized.
O.k. ... Could you say more about the reasons to not remove them, I know that they are intended to flatten the upper band 10 - 20kHz, but a cap generally don't improve the sound and I think specially a tantalum one. I can manage with the loading resistor together with the MC inductance if it really needs to be linearized.
The TSD is very good, as it is. The changes that you ruin it totally
while attempting to desolder these caps are very real. Just swallow your DIY-er pride and accept that something with a tantalum cap
in it can sound decent.
while attempting to desolder these caps are very real. Just swallow your DIY-er pride and accept that something with a tantalum cap
in it can sound decent.
Werner is right, don't touch it.
You don't seem to know what a gem you have with your 938 and TSD-15.
This is a highly optimised system which leaves VERY little room for DIY-experiments.
You might ruin both its quality and its value when doing so...
If you prefer a turntable that gives you endless options to fiddle around with,
get a Thorens TD-124/125/126.
(and sell me your 938...) 😀
You don't seem to know what a gem you have with your 938 and TSD-15.
This is a highly optimised system which leaves VERY little room for DIY-experiments.
You might ruin both its quality and its value when doing so...
If you prefer a turntable that gives you endless options to fiddle around with,
get a Thorens TD-124/125/126.
(and sell me your 938...) 😀
Be assured that I'll offer more for that 938 
Any chance to see the circuit diagram of the 938 pre?
(too much is not enough)
Any chance to see the circuit diagram of the 938 pre?
(too much is not enough)
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Hi EMT fan,
I'd start at 510Ohm and go up to 1kOhm.
That's the range you see very often when people report about loading EMT cartridges with good sonic results.
Have fun,
Frank Gales
I'd start at 510Ohm and go up to 1kOhm.
That's the range you see very often when people report about loading EMT cartridges with good sonic results.
Have fun,
Frank Gales
Welcome to the vinyl world!
Hi Richard,
Welcome to the vinyl world I'm glad to know you've not abandoned your 938.
Here goes to my recent progress:
yet another Garrard Pic of the Day
and here's too with Zanden phono stage:
My system:
more pictures in here:
audio room in attic
Rarely listen SACD, mostly listen "back to the future" 🙂
Kohjin
Hi Richard,
Welcome to the vinyl world I'm glad to know you've not abandoned your 938.
Here goes to my recent progress:
yet another Garrard Pic of the Day
and here's too with Zanden phono stage:
My system:
more pictures in here:
audio room in attic
Rarely listen SACD, mostly listen "back to the future" 🙂
Kohjin
EMT TSD15
Jé détiens également deux de ces modèles équipés des résistances 0,33. Apparemment il s'agit de la première génération de fine line, j'ai enlevé ces résistances et je n'ai constaté aucune véritable différence sonore.
par contre comparé aux génerations plus récentes le son est moins transaprent, le grave plus présent et charnu ? mais sur ces anciens modèles, il s epeut que les supensions/gommes soient en bout de course? Avez vous testé les versiosn Van Den Hull?
cordialement. Pascal
Jé détiens également deux de ces modèles équipés des résistances 0,33. Apparemment il s'agit de la première génération de fine line, j'ai enlevé ces résistances et je n'ai constaté aucune véritable différence sonore.
par contre comparé aux génerations plus récentes le son est moins transaprent, le grave plus présent et charnu ? mais sur ces anciens modèles, il s epeut que les supensions/gommes soient en bout de course? Avez vous testé les versiosn Van Den Hull?
cordialement. Pascal
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