Years ago, early '90's, I bought on a leaving sale, inter alia, this MC cartridge, a sample to them, from that audio store near the end of Khyber Pass Newmarket, a block away?

It sounded great, I made some Hifi Stereo VHS recordings with it, and also had another MC cart, Audio Technica AT30E.

Both with replaceable styli, the AT a low output MC, the Empire a high output one.

Styli for the AT30E seem almost unobtanium, but there are some choices for the MC20+.

Why do I want a new one? After a short time, I accidentally sheared the diamond off the cantilever!  Kept the cart ever since.

So between these choices, Azden & generic possibly quite good alternate, I just wonder if the Azden is original, would rubber aging of compliance for the cantilever be a concern?

lptunes.com/collections/empire-needles-stylus/products/azden-an-1e-stylus-for-gm-1e-mc-cart-and-smc20-stylus-for-mc-20-cartridge

lptunes.com/collections/empire-needles-stylus/products/replacement-for-empire-smc20-stylus

I haven't asked the vendor's honest opinion yet, although we've made contact.

Azden evidently were great, but maybe these styli are old new stock.

What are your opinions on cantilever compliance support (or whatever it's called?) rubber aging, becoming stiff and non-compliant?

Nice !

Didn't know Empire made an MC, let alone one with user replaceable stylus.

Thanks!  I think I'm going to buy the slightly more expensive Azden version, regardless.

As for the AT30E, I used to own the matching transformer too, but sold it in a moment of poverty to that audiophile Ken chap on the North Sore, since deceased.

I'd have to buy one again. There's a reasonably priced one on uk ebay, GBP87, but to give an idea of how they were sold as matched,

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275541172631

There's an AT30E stylus advertised here, but the cantilever looks skewed at an angle to me, in all the pics.

www.ebay.ie/itm/255805594942

I've just emailed him for clarification ... if he can prove he has a straight one, I might buy it.

And so it goes ... ;=})

Hi RDM - I'd be interested to know how you rate the AT30E/G - I have one (with a spare stylus that I am hanging onto) playing on my Technics SL-1100 into an A&R Cambridge A60 with MC board installed. I hadn't heard that there was a AT630 SU transformer for this cartridge. Might be tempted ...

Jan 5, 2023 12:03:07 GMT 12 paulsaints said:

Hi RDM - I'd be interested to know how you rate the AT30E/G - I have one (with a spare stylus that I am hanging onto) playing on my Technics SL-1100 into an A&R Cambridge A60 with MC board installed. I hadn't heard that there was a AT630 SU transformer for this cartridge. Might be tempted ...

Hi Paul;-

Sorry about the delay in reply;- your post gave me some impetus toward buying the GBP 87 AT630, and I got in touch with the seller after checking with a friend in the UK to receive locally, but so did the seller, after me saying I couldn't set my destination to UK, he made it world-wide, but to hurry in case some other person thought they could get it for the GBP 6.85 local quoted rate! So ... I bought it. NZD187.64.

I still have to pay to get it here, but that might save GST.

I'm afraid that the next cheapest one is somewhat more expensive, from Samurai Audio, www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254707013412

Then the AT30E stylus; www.ebay.com/itm/255805594942

(I'd mistakenly looked at and given the ebay.ie version before, discovered when I couldn't log into it!)

So after emails and two extra vertical photos showing it straight down, vertical, I bought it late last night.

I was surprised to see that EUR 28.20 NZ GST was added to the cost!

Total for that then a slightly eye raising NZD 377.79 ...

Total for both NZD 565.33. Private UK postage for the AT630 likely less than the GST if I had it shipped direct. Yet to be determined.

I'm glad to have suddenly been enabled to do it, because otherwise as of only weeks ago it would have remained an impossible dream.

And so, cartridges without styli. As they've been for years, worth hanging on to after all.

It's the only way I can honour the cartridges. And they're evidently really rare. I too have two styli for my AT30E. I must re-check their state of wear.

If you yourself want a 3rd, I'd say Richard Gerardin is the man for it!

Anyway, and especially too if I fork out for the Empire stylus as well, these will merely take me back to when I last had them, ~ 25 years ago.

The price of time travel!  But again, restoring the cartridges rather than leaving them to languish... priceless!   ;=}))

One could be gloomy and think of the price per hour at a conservative 500 hrs, or even 1000, but on the bright side it's cheaper than current AT MC cartridges, and a personal history restored.

I've got a microscope and rigged side lights, so will report back on attempts at photos through its lenses. I took some years ago - a small camera lens interfaced OK. Some successes, clear enough pictures at 100x.

I've been reading more on making improvements. My earlier ones were front on or sides;- now I'm looking straight down looking for side facets wear.

A friend has a Technics SL-110 with an SME arm, arm board etc. Think he has a Goldring MM something on it. Very nice table, like the SL-1100.

As for the Arcam A60, looking at their instruction/owners manual (issue 4), it mentions the MC60 board, also a "switchable loading module" ... "and user programmable option".

Does yours have that? Apparently the AT30E likes 20 ohms, and the AT630 transformer provides it. The basic MC60 seems to have 10 & 30 ohms straddling that.

I can't answer your original question as to how I'd rate it ... it's been so long ago. I recall it being very enjoyable.

So was the Empire MC20+. And I also had a Pioneer PM-MC3 ... on its specific turntable with a suitable arm.

So much to consider! ;-)

Best regards!

Ross Matheson

Well, congratulations on getting all that sorted - give us an update when its all arrived and you can actually enjoy it again. The A&R Cambridge A60 is a great little amp and while its not in my main system I've got it fed by the Technics SL-1100 and an Arcam Alpha plus Cd with the nice Philips TDA-1541a dac chip. I find I play it quite often as its to easy to flick on - a complete no-fuss set-up. I don't have the Cartridge Loading Module. I'm not even sure if there is just a universal one or two different varieties - ULM/C for moving coils and ULM/M for moving magnets - been hunting for ages but never even seen one available. One day ...

Jan 8, 2023 18:16:50 GMT 12 paulsaints said:

Well, congratulations on getting all that sorted - give us an update when its all arrived and you can actually enjoy it again. The A&R Cambridge A60 is a great little amp and while its not in my main system I've got it fed by the Technics SL-1100 and an Arcam Alpha plus Cd with the nice Philips TDA-1541a dac chip. I find I play it quite often as its to easy to flick on - a complete no-fuss set-up. I don't have the Cartridge Loading Module. I'm not even sure if there is just a universal one or two different varieties - ULM/C for moving coils and ULM/M for moving magnets - been hunting for ages but never even seen one available. One day ...

I will!

What serial number is your A60? After 13250 or before?

I see the service manual gives a schematic of the MC60 but just has a pair of connections to the "Loading Module", for both serial no. ranges.

And that the phono preamp stage uses a venerable now but new then NE5534 op-amp. If it was socketed (likely not?) then an upgrade might be possible, maybe too much bother.

I think the loading module is just for the MC60, to enable other loads. So it's a "Black Box".

Someone clever might be able to infer the circuitry required to provide those extra loading options, and even a custom 20 ohm version.

Later, then!

Hi Ross - life is strange ... I have been looking for an ULM/C internationally for years but not come across any, bar a poor photo in an A&R Cambridge brochure. After these threads I had a casual Internet search .... and found one in ... Auckland. FiF are strong A&R Cambridge A60 supporters, presumably because they fit the modern aesthetic. Very friendly, and knowledgeable and about to receive both an extra MC60 MC card, and the ULM/C loading module. Anyway, I'll report back if I get them working with the AT30E and I'll also look at putting up some detailed photos because I am sure someone with a few circuit board skills would be able to assemble some. See functioninform.co.nz/product-category/home-audio/ Anyone wanting an A&R Cambridge A60 MC60 card, let me know as I will soon have a spare.

Jan 15, 2023 19:19:22 GMT 12 paulsaints said:

Hi Ross - life is strange ... I have been looking for an ULM/C internationally for years but not come across any, bar a poor photo in an A&R Cambridge brochure. After these threads I had a casual Internet search .... and found one in ... Auckland. FiF are strong A&R Cambridge A60 supporters, presumably because they fit the modern aesthetic. Very friendly, and knowledgeable and about to receive both an extra MC60 MC card, and the ULM/C loading module. Anyway, I'll report back if I get them working with the AT30E and I'll also look at putting up some detailed photos because I am sure someone with a few circuit board skills would be able to assemble some. See functioninform.co.nz/product-category/home-audio/ Anyone wanting an A&R Cambridge A60 MC60 card, let me know as I will soon have a spare.

Fantastic news Paul, thanks for the update!

Meanwhile I've been in contact with an old TM acquaintance who assures me (as per my original query re Azden) that in his watchful experiences with Azden cartridges they've shown no signs of deterioration.

So I've also allowed him to very generously sell me a P-mount Azden YM-P50E for my Technics SL-6 linear tracker turntable.

I'll report back when I have the AT630 SU transformer and AT-30E stylus in hand.

I've also almost set up lights microscope camera to inspect my existing two again.

Cheers !!

Jan 3, 2023 22:20:03 GMT 12 RdM said:

Years ago, early '90's, I bought on a leaving sale, inter alia, this MC cartridge, a sample to them, from that audio store near the end of Khyber Pass Newmarket, a block away?

Why do I want a new one? After a short time, I accidentally sheared the diamond off the cantilever!  Kept the cart ever since.

So between these choices, Azden & generic possibly quite good alternate, I just wonder if the Azden is original, would rubber aging of compliance for the cantilever be a concern?

lptunes.com/collections/empire-needles-stylus/products/azden-an-1e-stylus-for-gm-1e-mc-cart-and-smc20-stylus-for-mc-20-cartridge

lptunes.com/collections/empire-needles-stylus/products/replacement-for-empire-smc20-stylus

I haven't asked the vendor's honest opinion yet, although we've made contact.

Azden evidently were great, but maybe these styli are old new stock.

What are your opinions on cantilever compliance support (or whatever it's called?) rubber aging, becoming stiff and non-compliant?

I've now had the Azden questions answered - NOS is fine - and they made these for Empire.

But exploring around I've found a cheaper option for an original, saving me about $60NZD over the LPTunes Azden one, from Da Capo, in Denmark.

www.dacapoaudio.com/3021-Empire-SMC-styli.html

With €7 tracked letter freight, €102.20 total, ~ $172.90 NZD.

I bought it tonight.

Well, that's a great set of new stuff to try out. I got the A&R Cambridge ULM installed and set to 30 ohm (after everyone's help to work out how to set it right) and then as soon as I turned on the SL-1100 it died - or rather went at an uncontrolled full speed. Finally today installed a new cap into the SL-1100 and listened to the Audio Technica AT30E at proper loading for the first time. So that was a long journey from your first post about looking for an Audio Technica AT30E stylus, that set off the hunt for the ULM, that then required a recap of the SL-1100. Sounds like a bed-time story ... Anyway, time to chill a bit and enjoy listening, I think.

Feb 15, 2023 14:12:15 GMT 12 paulsaints said:

Well, that's a great set of new stuff to try out. I got the A&R Cambridge ULM installed and set to 30 ohm (after everyone's help to work out how to set it right) and then as soon as I turned on the SL-1100 it died - or rather went at an uncontrolled full speed. Finally today installed a new cap into the SL-1100 and listened to the Audio Technica AT30E at proper loading for the first time. So that was a long journey from your first post about looking for an Audio Technica AT30E stylus, that set off the hunt for the ULM, that then required a recap of the SL-1100. Sounds like a bed-time story ... Anyway, time to chill a bit and enjoy listening, I think.

Thanks, Paul;- I see your other posts on that.

Well, I've received the Empire MC20+ and the AT30E styli.

Haven't even unboxed them yet. Too many other things to do.

But I do have the lights microscope & camera possibility to inspect whatever wear on the other old AT30E styli.

Maybe sometime soon, when I can clear the desk so to speak. Workbench.

I haven't yet ordered the new caps for the HA10, but have decided on the 25mm high Silmic and will fold a taller top case somehow, a folded part to make up the panel heights fore & aft.

Since I only have the bottom I may as well be creative about it.

I think I should try the HA10 out as it is, I've bought connectors but not connected yet, before I upgrade with caps and new dual transistor. Maybe just cart connected, stroked, no tone arm.

Too much hassle to swap cartridges on the arm yet. Just to make sure that it's working.

Then it occurs to me that I could scan the under pcb side at 600dpi, and, since some scanners have a bit of depth of field, perhaps brought closer after removing all the main caps to be replaced, a scan of the top side.

Just for the archives, as it were. Might capture most of the silk screened labels.

My main amp has died, even the temporary substitute I'm not happy with, so things are a bit stalled here.

Catch up later, then ~