01-28-2026, 10:21 AM
Hi Marsupial,
Sorry for the length of this, it is how my brain works. To reiterate some things here.
A clearer picture of the cartridge would be useful. If you can't lift the arm further but can move the arm horizontally, turning the turntable over and moving the arm to the outside of its movement, you may get a good shot. I am most interested is a good pic of the cartridge. I have a lot of questions. Try to answer them if you can and I can give you better recommendations.
When you hook the turntable to your Philco, you receive audio but it is not loud, only half as loud as the radio. Is the sound decent or poor? How is the sound on the radio?
The turntable has an "RCA" plug output?
You connected the turntable with the RCA plug "Pin" connected to the line to the audio stage grid and the shield to chassis ground?
When you hook up the turntable to the phono input of a modern Stereo receiver, you receive decent sound, but still at somewhat low volume?
What is the make and model of the receiver or amp that you tested the turntable on?
V-M made their own phonographs (When I was a kid, parents had a V-M 316 Stereo). However, they also made most of the record changers in almost every mid-range phonograph, radio / phono or TV / Radio / phono from the US from the mid 1950s to about 1970 when the British Garrard 40B became popular here. This is why your turntable is branded Stromberg Carlson.
Almost all of these turntables came with either a crystal or ceramic cartridge. A few came with the GE RPX magnetic cartridge. This would be the ideal replacement for your cartridge as the RPX should drive the phono section of your Philco without mod. However the tone arm for the RPX is different from the tone arm in your turntable. It has a hole at the top to change over the needle and the head is wider as the cartridge is wider than what you have. In addition, a new RPX or it's replacement is over $100.
Do you have the original record player that the turntable came from? Did you hear the phonograph before you removed the turntable?
Does your cartridge have an LP stylus on one side and a 78RPM stylus on the other side and a lever at the front of the tone arm that rotates the cartridge? If so, it is definitely not a magnetic cartridge and is likely a crystal cartridge with an output of between 1/2 and 1 volt, designed for a 2 stage tube amplifier
Do you have a modern turntable with a magnetic cartridge? If so, connect it to your Philco. If as loud (or louder) and better sounding then the V-M, then this proves that the problem is the cartridge.
How to go forward is difficult here. I am almost positive that your cartridge is dying, especially if it is a crystal cartridge. There are several alternatives dependng on how much you want to spend, whether you can try a modern turntable with a magnetic cartridge on your Philco and other considerations. This turntable can work but if a Garrard RC88 with a GE RPX dropped into your hands from above, then grab it. If it physically fits it would be the best replacement.
If you are trying to not modify the radio, then the cartridge of choice is a Shure M3 or M7 series cartridge. These are stereo cartridges with relative high tracking and may fit into the tonearm. The outputs need to be ganged. However, these are old cartridges, the needle is a little hard to get and the combination of cartridge and new needle may be expensive. In addition, the arm will sit high on the record and
may not lift sufficiently.
The following site may be helpful. Please note that this is not an official recommendation either by me or by the Philco Phorum. This is the V-M Enthusiasts website and is a business, not a non-profit like us:
https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/default.asp
An alternative ceramic cartridge is described here:
https://thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog/part...?PID=P1943
An alternative magnetic cartridge is here, However, it is LP / 45 only, no 78 and the tracking weight is likely much lower than this arm can deliver. The price is good.
https://thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog/part...Categories=
I am not going to be back till later tonight, bbut I am very happy to help you.
Sorry for the length of this, it is how my brain works. To reiterate some things here.
A clearer picture of the cartridge would be useful. If you can't lift the arm further but can move the arm horizontally, turning the turntable over and moving the arm to the outside of its movement, you may get a good shot. I am most interested is a good pic of the cartridge. I have a lot of questions. Try to answer them if you can and I can give you better recommendations.
When you hook the turntable to your Philco, you receive audio but it is not loud, only half as loud as the radio. Is the sound decent or poor? How is the sound on the radio?
The turntable has an "RCA" plug output?
You connected the turntable with the RCA plug "Pin" connected to the line to the audio stage grid and the shield to chassis ground?
When you hook up the turntable to the phono input of a modern Stereo receiver, you receive decent sound, but still at somewhat low volume?
What is the make and model of the receiver or amp that you tested the turntable on?
V-M made their own phonographs (When I was a kid, parents had a V-M 316 Stereo). However, they also made most of the record changers in almost every mid-range phonograph, radio / phono or TV / Radio / phono from the US from the mid 1950s to about 1970 when the British Garrard 40B became popular here. This is why your turntable is branded Stromberg Carlson.
Almost all of these turntables came with either a crystal or ceramic cartridge. A few came with the GE RPX magnetic cartridge. This would be the ideal replacement for your cartridge as the RPX should drive the phono section of your Philco without mod. However the tone arm for the RPX is different from the tone arm in your turntable. It has a hole at the top to change over the needle and the head is wider as the cartridge is wider than what you have. In addition, a new RPX or it's replacement is over $100.
Do you have the original record player that the turntable came from? Did you hear the phonograph before you removed the turntable?
Does your cartridge have an LP stylus on one side and a 78RPM stylus on the other side and a lever at the front of the tone arm that rotates the cartridge? If so, it is definitely not a magnetic cartridge and is likely a crystal cartridge with an output of between 1/2 and 1 volt, designed for a 2 stage tube amplifier
Do you have a modern turntable with a magnetic cartridge? If so, connect it to your Philco. If as loud (or louder) and better sounding then the V-M, then this proves that the problem is the cartridge.
How to go forward is difficult here. I am almost positive that your cartridge is dying, especially if it is a crystal cartridge. There are several alternatives dependng on how much you want to spend, whether you can try a modern turntable with a magnetic cartridge on your Philco and other considerations. This turntable can work but if a Garrard RC88 with a GE RPX dropped into your hands from above, then grab it. If it physically fits it would be the best replacement.
If you are trying to not modify the radio, then the cartridge of choice is a Shure M3 or M7 series cartridge. These are stereo cartridges with relative high tracking and may fit into the tonearm. The outputs need to be ganged. However, these are old cartridges, the needle is a little hard to get and the combination of cartridge and new needle may be expensive. In addition, the arm will sit high on the record and
may not lift sufficiently.
The following site may be helpful. Please note that this is not an official recommendation either by me or by the Philco Phorum. This is the V-M Enthusiasts website and is a business, not a non-profit like us:
https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/default.asp
An alternative ceramic cartridge is described here:
https://thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog/part...?PID=P1943
An alternative magnetic cartridge is here, However, it is LP / 45 only, no 78 and the tracking weight is likely much lower than this arm can deliver. The price is good.
https://thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog/part...Categories=
I am not going to be back till later tonight, bbut I am very happy to help you.
"Do Justly, love Mercy and walk humbly with your God"- Micah 6:8
"Let us begin to do good"- St. Francis
Best Regards,
MrFixr55
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