Ceramic cartridge or BETTER!

Hi Friends,
I have 2 portable units, COLUMBIA and SYMPHONIC. Both are STEREO systems with GRUNDIG changers. The "guts" have been restored and they work great, however, they both have barrel type RONETTE carts. with flip over knobs 33-45/78. They sound rather rotten (to me), is there a better cartridge that can be used in place of the old tired ones? If I chose to do magnetic, how do I use a pre-amp? I'd love to have these both work, rather than scrap 'em for something else on Ebay. COLUMBIA has 2 flip out speakers and SYMPHONIC has 2 flip outs and one center. I'd love any help I could get as I am kinda new to this stuff.

Respectfully, Bo in Indiana

Grundig never made its own record changers. They are probably either Perpetuum Ebner, Telefunken, or Philips changers. Pictures follow:

PE-66:


PE-REX:


PE-Rex-deluxe


Telefunken


Philips AG1003

There are some slightly better ceramics. Maybe a new Varco/Vaco but the output might be lower resulting in less volume. Magnetic carts that track well for changers would be my pick. I'm using a Pickering on my RCA 45 RP 190 but there are other makes out there such as Audio Technica and Stanton. Just be sure you get one with a conical stylus. With this you will need a preamp but they are small and can be had for little money; $12.00 to $20.00. If you plan on playing 78s you will need to make sure you use a 3mil stylus as the 45s and LPs use a .7mil. Good luck.