Classic Hifi Care

This is my childhood radio-phono (78 rpm single-play; AA5 plus 1, an RF amp). I was thinking about it because I recall hearing about Queen Elizabeth II's coronation when I was 5 on it. I should restore it this winter. After 50+ years in storage the crystal cartridge is undoubtedly toast. It was replaced once when I was a kiddo. So I was wondering...maybe install a lighter-weight tone arm with either a mono magnetic cartridge plus a simple homebrew preamp, or a ceramic cartridge (which might also require a preamp).

So... any suggestions? Any body got a one-tube preamp schematic? Maybe one from the RC tube manual, minus RIAA equalization? Preferences in ceramic carts?

See photos here:
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/general_el_lc628.html

Or see a YouTube video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2SYYg_MfSE


Chris Campbell

P.S. I'd keep the old tonearm for archival purposes, of course.

That was a good video.