Coombe Audio Ceramic Cartridge / MM Phono Preamp Adapter

An easy, convenient and good-sounding way to experiment with ceramic cartridges using your existing phono preamp, this box is designed to match (attenuate) the higher output level of ceramic cartridges to the gain provided by a conventional MM (Moving Magnet) phono stage. In other words it enables you to use a ceramic cartridge into an MM preamp without the distortion that would normally occur.

This design is based on a slightly modified version of a simple passive circuit recommended by Sonotone for the 9TA cartridge. If you’ve never heard a ceramic cartridge on a decent turntable or through a decent Hi-Fi you’ll be in for a treat.

I added a switch to the circuit so that you can leave the box hooked up when using magnetic cartridges and bypass the circuit completely. The circuit is built into a neat cast alloy case with point-to-point wiring. I use high quality gold plated phono sockets and over-specced resistors.

I have received very postitive feedback on these so far!

“very heavy piece of kit for the size bypass switch for magnetic cartridges comes in very handy. Been playing this non stop since i got it i can tell you now superb!!
If anybody is on the side lines about ceramic cartridges just buy one of these boxes from Tom you will not be dissapointed.”

“the Sonotone 9TA HC it is fantastic as is it with BSR SC12H & M,  SC7M2 (same as SC12M) fitted with ST17s played through a Sharp integrated SM-5100…. I think I have found what I have been looking collectively for. As with the MM side fantastic fuss free switching. There is no crackling and all my Shures, Ortophons, AT’s, ADC’s, Osrams, Tennorels play very well.”

This version is likely to be the last one I'll make in the tiny case pictured - they're very fiddly (and time consuming) to assemble so for the next one I'll probably use a bigger case. Grab it while it's still available!