Philips AG-3010 D

[iggyboy10]

I'm restoring an old radio where is installed a Philips record player.The cartridge is the one in the title.The double stylus is in place and seems OK,but the piezo device is destroyed.I don't know what to do.The replacement is hard to find and also the old styluses are dangerous for the records.Who can help me?

[Steerpike_jhb]

Have you seen this page:
http://www.hupse.eu/radio/repair/philips_ag2106.htm
The guy repairs one very similar to an AG3010 with a modern ceramic bimorph. You could buy a 'modern' Ronette, or a truly modern BSR SC12 (still made) and take out the bimorph.

An SC12 might be physicallly small enough (maybe even cut off the plastic screw mount on the top) to install right inside the body of the AG3010 though - that is a very easy fix then. And you have a modern flip-over stylus ready to go.

[iggyboy10]

Many thanks for the link and helpful suggestions.It seems better the BSR SC12,isn't it? Thank you again and all the best!

[Steerpike_jhb]

Many thanks for the link and helpful suggestions.It seems better the BSR SC12,isn't it? Thank you again and all the best!

The BSR is the easiest way certainly. The only thing to be careful about is the size - I dont know if it will fit inside the old Philips cartridge. But the SC12 is small for a ceramic cartride - I believe Maplin in the UK sell them,no Idea who else.

[iggyboy10]

I need further help after long time.I wanted an high output cartridge and I looked for the BSR SC12H.Recently I bought it through friends of mine in London and I think there is something not clear.The little transparent case where is the cartridge has a regular label marked BSR SC12H,but the black cartridge case is marked SC11M that is a 77 mV output instead of 170mV. What does that mean?

[Steerpike_jhb]

The little transparent case where is the cartridge has a regular label marked BSR SC12H,but the black cartridge case is marked SC11M that is a 77 mV output instead of 170mV. What does that mean?

The SC11 is actually a "better" cartridge; higher compliance which means better tracking and less record wear. BUT it needs a lower tracking force, which MAY make it too 'good' for such a simple turntable. Check if you can reduce the tracking force to around 4g on that arm. The voltage differences are not really significant - the 11 will play slightly softer than the 12, but its a small amount and the amplifier typically has more than enough gain to make up for it.

[iggyboy10]

Thank you my friend for your subtle and expert considerations,but I hope that somebody else will read and reply to my post about the unusual Maplin behavior that sells at not very cheap price a product instead of another of different specifications.Furthermore why place on a product the label of another one????

[iggyboy10]

Thank you my friend for your subtle and expert considerations,but I hope that somebody else will read and reply to my post about the unusual Maplin behavior that sells at not very cheap price a product instead of another of different specifications.Furthermore why place on a product the label of another one????

Who can help please?

[Alec124c41]

Ask Maplin.

Cheers,
Alec

[iggyboy10]

You are right Alec,of course.Unfortunately,I can't speak english enough to call them and have a conversation but I will send an e-mail! Thank you!

[iggyboy10]

The little transparent case where is the cartridge has a regular label marked BSR SC12H,but the black cartridge case is marked SC11M that is a 77 mV output instead of 170mV. What does that mean?

After having wasted a lot of time writing to Maplin and receiving unuseful replies,I found the right info in the web:sellers decided that the BSR SC12H has been replaced by the DIFFERENT SC11M (very suspicious decision because somebody may need higher output than 77mV).Anyway as it's impossible to return to Maplin the WRONG cartridge being in Italy (In order for us to arrange for the return of the goods, we will require the receipt details and your full name, address and postcode.Once received, we can then complete our return authorisation and respond with all return details you will require enabling you to return these goods),I decided to try the SC11M and I need more help:
I'm not sure about the cartridge 4 output terminals configuration.I can imagine that the right couple is one channel and the left one the other channel.I also suppose,having a mono amplifier,that it should be right to connect the outputs in parallel and just have a pair of wires for the amplifier.

[Steerpike_jhb]

I'm not sure about the cartridge 4 output terminals configuration.I can imagine that the right couple is one channel and the left one the other channel.I also suppose,having a mono amplifier,that it should be right to connect the outputs in parallel and just have a pair of wires for the amplifier.

Exactly right, as you described it.

I don't see any problem with them selling an SC11 in place of the SC12. It would be rare for people to be getting a better product to complain about it!

[iggyboy10]

I don't see any problem with them selling an SC11 in place of the SC12. It would be rare for people to be getting a better product to complain about it!

Better..depends on the point of view...Does SC11M give 170 mV output? (I need this)

[Steerpike_jhb]

Better..depends on the point of view...Does SC11M give 170 mV output? (I need this)

No you don't. 77mV is only around 5dB down from 170mV. That is a small change in volume as perceived by the human ear. On top of that, the figure quoted (170mV) is not absolutely accurate - it is only a production average or nominal, and will vary from cartridge to cartridge and batch to batch. There may be as much as 3dB difference between individual examples. There may even be some overlap between the two models, if you happened to get particular examples at the extreme ends of a production tolerance. The manufacturing fluctuations are so wide that you probably don't get a match of better than 2dB between the left and right sections within the same cartridge.

Records themselves can vary in level by 6dB or more, from different labels and pressing plants.

Unless you had an SC11 and an SC12 in two different players side by side, playing the same record, I don't think many people could tell the difference.