CERAMIC PHONO CARTRIDGES Pre-Amp

[MAYHEM_METAL]

Hi
I have been using 5 Turntables out of which one is with CERAMIC PHONO CARTRIDGES cannot be upgraded. Generally I connect to the Amp Aux but that's not correct. Any Idea where can I get a Preamp circuit ready made or DIY kit for Ceramic

Thanks

 

[sachu888]

Hi
I have been using 5 Turntables out of which one is with CERAMIC PHONO CARTRIDGES cannot be upgraded. Generally I connect to the Amp Aux but that's not correct. Any Idea where can I get a Preamp circuit ready made or DIY kit for Ceramic

Thanks

There is no special preamp for Ceramic cart.The output of Ceramic cart is almost equal to line level so it has to be used with line level inputs.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[MAYHEM_METAL]

There is no special preamp for Ceramic cart.The output of Ceramic cart is almost equal to line level so it has to be used with line level inputs.

Regards,
Sachin

Hey Sachin I totally agree with you but the sound lacks the bass. A Ceramic cartridge can sound decently good if the RIAA is applied. I remember when I was little I heard good sound on Ceramic too. There are Circuit links on the web but no Kits. Check this BELOW. Maybe I should try to make one

Phono Preamp for Creamic Cartridge - diyAudio

 

[sachu888]

Hey Sachin I totally agree with you but the sound lacks the bass. A Ceramic cartridge can sound decently good if the RIAA is applied. I remember when I was little I heard good sound on Ceramic too. There are Circuit links on the web but no Kits. Check this BELOW. Maybe I should try to make one

Phono Preamp for Creamic Cartridge - diyAudio

Oh I didn't know that,DIYA thread looks interesting.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[reubensm]

you are right about the phono stage for ceramic cartridges. connecting them to your Aux input will definitely disappoint you. even ceramic cartridges require RIAA equalization to make your LPs sound great. here are a few circuits you can refer to:

Phono Preamp for Creamic Cartridge - diyAudio

 

[Hiten]

Hey Sachin I totally agree with you but the sound lacks the bass. A Ceramic cartridge can sound decently good if the RIAA is applied. I remember when I was little I heard good sound on Ceramic too. There are Circuit links on the web but no Kits. Check this BELOW. Maybe I should try to make one

Phono Preamp for Creamic Cartridge - diyAudio

If performance is what you are looking for than ceramic cartridge are not good. If you still insist use amps tone control to adjust bass. Equilization is nothing but bass boost & treble cut. Ceramic Cartridges have good enough voltage so why to add one more amplification stage.
Having said that Ceramic Cartridge (78 rpm shellacs) through tube amplification given to full range speakers sounds sweet.
Regards

 

[MAYHEM_METAL]

Having said that Ceramic Cartridge (78 rpm shellacs) through tube amplification given to full range speakers sounds sweet.
Regards

I am sure if the Ceramic cartridge is connected to the right source it would sound good. I remember as a Child a uncle of mine using Ceramic cartridges and good sound. Cant remember the name but I thinks it was Sonotone.
Any way I was on the web and someone suggested of using multiple resistor to drop the output to match to the magnet input so as to have RAAI correction and good sound.

So suddenly there was this Idea and I would like share with you guys. :yahoo:
I used this Stereo Line Level Amp / Booster (Phonopreamps.com TCC TC-780LC Details and Hookup) to cut down the output say volume at 7 to 8 clock position and connected the output to the spare magnet preamp input (Phonopreamps.com TCC TC-750 Details and Hookup) and vola I couldnt belive what I heard smooth warm sound with good bass extention. It sounded like a magnetic cartridge. WOW. Finally I am happy to play on my fatherinlaws Garard:lol:

Hope this helps any of you guys with Ceramic cartridge:

 

[Hiten]

Mayhem_Metal,
You added two amplification stages to already high output level of the cartridge ?? Take care of your speakers. Anyway good to know you like the sound. You have put a resistor which cut off the very low frequencies which may have given you the impression of bass extention.
See following thread. Cranky's posts are deleted but see if you can make out anything from the thread.
http://www.hifivision.com/phono-turntables/9229-experimenting-high-pass-filter-old-turntable.html
Regards

 

[MAYHEM_METAL]

Mayhem_Metal,
You added two amplification stages to already high output level of the cartridge ?? Take care of your speakers. Anyway good to know you like the sound. You have put a resistor which cut off the very low frequencies which may have given you the impression of bass extention.
See following thread. Cranky's posts are deleted but see if you can make out anything from the thread.
http://www.hifivision.com/phono-turntables/9229-experimenting-high-pass-filter-old-turntable.html
Regards

``two amplification stages`` No my friend not using to amplify the signals but using it to cut the output to bear minimum that's the reason its matching the MM preamp so well.

'You have put a resistor ' No I have not put a resister as suggested somewhere on the net. As I am connected the cartridge directly the to Amp Booster and instead of using as a booster used it to cut the sound to bare min like 2 on the volume. More than 2 will probally distort or destroy the MM preamp. I hope you understood. And its sounding Fab what can I say further

 

[omishra]

Sachin,

Also see no issues if you use DIY CNC MM phono stage with 100 ohm and 150 ohm resistors replaced with 3.32K ohms. This make gain minimum but add buffering as well as passive RIAA into path.

Though never tried but it should work.

 

[mediaace]

Radio Shack sold this small RCA integrated amplifier with a 2 watt / channel output: Radio Shack RCA SA 155 Integrated Stereo Amplifier | eBay

The phono input is switchable for either magnetic or ceramic cartridges. I have two of these that I use as phono preamps for ceramic cartridges with record changers, using the line level output (tape out) to feed my home theater receiver's AUX input. Both record changers have Varco TN4 cartridges in them, although TN8 cartridges would provide twice the audio output. One of my changers is a Garrard 2025 and the other is a VM changer that I pulled from a 1962 Motorola console. My old Capitol Sinatra LPs sound quite good using the RCA amp as a ceramic phono preamp or for listening though headphones without using my receivers. I hope this helps you guys with ceramic cartridges.

 

[reubensm]

Radio Shack sold this small RCA integrated amplifier with a 2 watt / channel output: Radio Shack RCA SA 155 Integrated Stereo Amplifier | eBay

The phono input is switchable for either magnetic or ceramic cartridges. I have two of these that I use as phono preamps for ceramic cartridges with record changers, using the line level output (tape out) to feed my home theater receiver's AUX input. Both record changers have Varco TN4 cartridges in them, although TN8 cartridges would provide twice the audio output. One of my changers is a Garrard 2025 and the other is a VM changer that I pulled from a 1962 Motorola console. My old Capitol Sinatra LPs sound quite good using the RCA amp as a ceramic phono preamp or for listening though headphones without using my receivers. I hope this helps you guys with ceramic cartridges.

Nice one!!

I have been building some simple ceramic phonostages will great results. You can read more about them here: http://www.hifivision.com/phono-turntables/48499-ceramic-phonostage-build.html

 

[reubensm]

Was reading through this thread today, started in 2012

Finally its nice to know that you are listning to and enjoying your ceramic cart with full RIAA equalization. Please follow my ceramic phonostage build page, I am going to build a scratch and rumble filter next, for the ceramic phonostage which is incorporated in the RC210 (booked for a forum member)

 

[IndianEars]

The BEST approach to a Rumble filter is to Mono the bass below say 50 Hz, rather than a HPF at 20 Hz

The HPF will Cut the deep bass.

The Mono filter will keep the Bass 100% intact but cancel the rumble which is out of phase in the 2 channels.

 

[IndianEars]

The phono input is switchable for either magnetic or ceramic cartridges.

Ceramic cartridges are capable of Super performance and good, Deep bass.

More often than not, their performance (particularly the Bass ) is not realised because the Input stage Input impedance is well below 1000 K Ohms.

I would look at any Combo Input stage with suspicion since more often than not, the input imepdance will rarely be more than the 47K Ohms required by Moving Magnet cartridges, rather than the 1 Meg required by piezo transducers like ceramic cartridges....

 

[reubensm]

Ceramic cartridges are capable of Super performance and good, Deep bass.

More often than not, their performance (particularly the Bass ) is not realised because the Input stage Input impedance is well below 1000 K Ohms.

I would look at any Combo Input stage with suspicion since more often than not, the input imepdance will rarely be more than the 47K Ohms required by Moving Magnet cartridges, rather than the 1 Meg required by piezo transducers like ceramic cartridges....

Very true, I have used just over 1meg in my phonostage design but my Dad used to talk about using 10meg in his designs.

 

[reubensm]

The BEST approach to a Rumble filter is to Mono the bass below say 50 Hz, rather than a HPF at 20 Hz

The HPF will Cut the deep bass.

The Mono filter will keep the Bass 100% intact but cancel the rumble which is out of phase in the 2 channels.

I think this is a great idea, especially since it is to be used for 78s. Have a queries, can you suggest a schematic idea incorporating this philosophy?

 

[IndianEars]

Check out Index 260 - Basic Circuit - Circuit Diagram - SeekIC.com link

Scroll down the 3rd Circuit on the page to "RUMBLE FILTER"

Its a reprint from my Fav magazine when it was the premier magazine for Audio Circuit design....

 

[Hiten]

Music content below 100hz in 33 and 45 rpm vinyls are already made mono while mastering.
Regards.

 

[reubensm]

Check out Index 260 - Basic Circuit - Circuit Diagram - SeekIC.com link

Scroll down the 3rd Circuit on the page to "RUMBLE FILTER"

Its a reprint from my Fav magazine when it was the premier magazine for Audio Circuit design....

Wireless World was also my fav magazine. Lots of audio circuits featured back then. I have never seen this Rumble filter design but I will definitely build this one. The operational logic used is very exciting. Thanks a lot for this.