Classic Hifi Care

I found this ad on eBay in case anyone is interested. I have two of these cartridges. One in my Big Imperial, and, one in a VM562.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154762351999?h ... N#viTabs_0

Bill

If those were known good, I'd own at least one.

Would anybody care to put in their two cents on the chances of these being good?

The saddle looks good, but it's a $57 crap shoot. That cartridge is as old as I am.

Thanks, Ken. Would you take a chance on one of these cartridges?

Buying on ebay would provide a measure of consumer protection in the worst case....

electra225 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 29, 2021 12:24 am Thanks, Ken. Would you take a chance on one of these cartridges?

Buying on ebay would provide a measure of consumer protection in the worst case....

I'm not sure about that. The auction states "All items are sold AS IS/WHERE IS."

I might take a chance if I really needed one, but I have 2 in my stash.

I need one for my Imperial. It has a Euphonics in it now and the bridge has turned to goo. I have a 132 I was planning on transplanting when I get around to it.

EV was good quality, and, there are plenty of them still working in vintage Stereos. Would sitting/stored/not used be harder on them then those that have been in service since new?

Bill

No more than I know about one, I'd be worried about the bridge turning hard or turning to goo. I wouldn't be concerned about the cartridge electronically.

Untested would scare me... you could use a milivolt AC meter or a scope to test for output...

I bought 4 of these, I needed one for my Continental, and one for my Brittany, put one in my VM-1000 and have a spare. The three I have installed have been perfect and sound great.

They way I look at it, the packaging they came in has protected them from the elements and air over the years and has preserved them quite well.

Thank you Trevor! I have been thinking of getting one and with your post I feel better about doing just that. Did you get your 4 from the link I provided in this thread?

Bill

The packaging should help and some damage is due to shock where the saddle is attached to ceramic sticks or worse, the signal leads on the inside coming loose.

I have been keeping intact carts in hope saddles can be replaced. Most times I use a Tetrad replacement with 4-lead wiring and plug when doing a repair of a player, they seem to sound as good as those originals anyway.