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Vintage Audio (record players, hi-fi etc) Amplifiers, speakers, gramophones and other audio equipment. |
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8th May 2021, 10:29 am | #1 |
Hexode
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Bridgewater, Tasmania, Australia
Posts: 483
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BSR TC4 cartridge specs?
Hi everyone
I'm having problems tracing any specs about the BSR TC4 cartridge, can anyone help? I'm particularly after the output mV I know it's a heavy unloved cartridge and indeed I am replacing it, but it was fitted as a retrofit (around 1954!) to my 1940s radiogram, and interestingly between the tonearm and the amp an extra potentiometer was added that allowed the output to be modified. I guess this was part of the retrofit kit so you could modify the cart to suits your amplifier (see photo). I put my new cartridge in and even with this potentiometer turned right up volume was a bit low, so I totally bypassed it and volume is great now, so just got me thinking that TC4 must have had a very high output if it needed such a reduction Hope someone can help with specs thanks Joe |
8th May 2021, 1:29 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,338
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Re: BSR TC4 cartridge specs?
Yes, it does have a high output of c.550mV. Don't attempt to play any Stereo LPs on it though! Production of these by BSR started around 1952.
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Edward. |
8th May 2021, 6:39 pm | #3 |
Nonode
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK.
Posts: 2,887
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Re: BSR TC4 cartridge specs?
Take a look at the Sticky on cartridges, there is some information within:-
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=119339 John |
8th May 2021, 6:41 pm | #4 |
Nonode
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK.
Posts: 2,887
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Re: BSR TC4 cartridge specs?
I should have said with thanks to Ben who started the sticky.
John |
8th May 2021, 6:59 pm | #5 |
Octode
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Harrow, London, UK.
Posts: 1,493
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Re: BSR TC4 cartridge specs?
Joe, it has taken some "off the wall" searching and hopefully what I have found will trigger the memory of others.
The BSR TC4 was used in the Dansette Bermuda record player circa 1960. The TC4, which plays only mono recorded records, was designed to be used both in single output valve mono record players. Valves such as UL42, EL42 UL84 and EL84. The BSR TC8H series of cartridges replaced it and a full description of this and other cartridges can be found as a sticky thread above this section titled "Ceramic and crystal cartridge specs." The Dansette record player is also a topic on this site. Because it was a high output cartridge, the output would need to be reduced when used in a amplifier of higher gain, hence the added volume control and vintage resistor in series with the cartridge. I am unfamiliar with 1940's radiograms and so it would be interesting to see what valves are used in yours. Hope this helps Chris |
8th May 2021, 11:12 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK
Posts: 7,498
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Re: BSR TC4 cartridge specs?
Interesting thread. I will have to update the sticky at some point with some new data, but glad you find it useful!
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Regards, Ben. |
9th May 2021, 3:55 am | #7 |
Hexode
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Bridgewater, Tasmania, Australia
Posts: 483
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Re: BSR TC4 cartridge specs?
Thanks Edward, I'm loving the heft and simplicity of the GU4 deck but have already replaced the TC4 cartridge with one of those Banpa flip-under cartridges, seems to work well. See photo. I design and print the cartridge clip with a 3D printer (highly recommended tool for radiogram restorations) and behind the Banpa cart you can see my attempt at providing some tracking weight adjustment via a threaded bar and some nuts sticking out of my clip
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9th May 2021, 3:56 am | #8 |
Hexode
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Bridgewater, Tasmania, Australia
Posts: 483
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Re: BSR TC4 cartridge specs?
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9th May 2021, 7:54 am | #9 | |
Hexode
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Bridgewater, Tasmania, Australia
Posts: 483
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Re: BSR TC4 cartridge specs?
Quote:
I found it strange that the pot even at max didnt pass thru 100% of the signal. As I said i totally bypassed it and the resister and volume is much much better. My radiogram (see photo, lid not yet on) uses 6X5GT, 6V6G, 6S07,ECH85, 6U7G valves In a bizarre coincidence I was watching James May's "Reassembler" program last night and he was assembling a Dansette Bermuda from scratch. It didnt use the TC4 though, but perhaps the TC8? Last edited by hayerjoe; 9th May 2021 at 8:05 am. Reason: typo |
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9th May 2021, 9:08 am | #10 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,338
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Re: BSR TC4 cartridge specs?
This might cause some confusion. The BSR TC4 was never used in the Dansette "Bermuda". Production of this cartridge ended in early 1955, possibly earlier.
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Edward. |
9th May 2021, 9:53 am | #11 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southend, Essex, UK
Posts: 663
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Re: BSR TC4 cartridge specs?
Dansette did use in their early models. My old Dansette Minor has one and still works well BUT definitely not for your precious discs. I've dated this model about 1954.
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