09-06-2015, 08:13 AM
I finally took some time and temporally connected by new phono cartridge (EV5632-Ast-DS73) from VM Audio Enthusiasts. It's a stereo ceramic cartridge with a red (right) , white (left) and silver connector wires. Gary Stork at VM told me to tie the red & white wires together if I wanted to use it on mono records (which I do). I used alligator clips to connect the wires from the new cartridge into the tone arm wires and held the wires just behind the cartridge and let it rest on it's own weight on an Al Jolson 78 record. Holy freakin crap - this new cartridge was crystal clear - 5X more response in clarity and volume than the old cartridge and the old cartridge had a buzz sound which is gone. I couldn't believe how good this thing sounds. Now I just have to figure out how to mount it inside the tone arm so it's held in there well, straight and with the capability of removing it if necessary. THANKS for your help on this - I had no idea the result of this "retro" fit would be so good. Cheers !!