Using preamp for ceramic/crystal cartridges??

I've recently restored a Capehard 111M2 with the 16-E flipover changer which is working almost flawlessly, however, I'm not happy with the output of the re-done crystal cartridge which I believe is an Astatic B-2. I had it done by Westech and the sound is just fine, but I think not as strong as it should be.

Does anyone have any experience with or suggestions about using one of the magnetic cartridge preamps to boost the output? I've tried it and it really improves the output, but seems like it needs to be "tweaked". Or is there maybe a simple tube circuit I could build to boost the signal from the cartridge? I've also considered revamping the original Capehart headshell with a GE variable reluctance pickup which I'm sure would be superior to the Astatic. Not sure if I would have major stylus tracking pressure problems or not. The original Capehart head has two large weights that could easily be removed to lighten the tracking pressure, but not sure this would be enough.

Harry< I had one of those Capehearts long ago. I do electronic work (old radios and jukeboxes. a few thoughts for you. 1 . The Ge cartridge wont work because to get the arm light enough even without the weights will not be possible. also you will encounter problems with the end of record trip. with light tracking pressure the trip will not trip the mech. 2. You said in your post that the sound was fine, just not loud enough.Depending on ho much of a purist you are you could 1. remove the tuner chassis and if there is enough room underneath put a 12ax7 preamp in there and tweak the output of the preamp so it does not overload the existing phono circuit. if this is too complex,buy a stereo phono preamp and use one channel if output is too much,try a 1 meg resistor in series with output. Another thought. try removing the weights when using the B1 cart. it should still work ok and will reduce record wear. be sure the trip mech. is well lubed. if this don't work put one weight back in and try that.You get the idea hope this helps. enjoy your Capeheart, it is one of the few things the Japanese did not try to copy!

Thanks for the reply and great information. I'm surely not a purist and will try your suggestions. I do have one of the GE preamps which I believe uses a 6SC7. And also have the stereo transistor preamps. Will try both. Pulling the tuner chassis is kind of a chore so will try and not do that any more than absolutely possible. I am amazed at the fail free trip switch which so far has worked flawlessly. I did take most of the mech apart, cleaned and lubed for exactly that reason. Still have a little tweaking to do as far as the needle landing spot, but find that even between the same label discs there is a discrepancy as to where the first audible grooves are, or where the lead in grooves start. Playing thru a stack of Columbias with green label (classical) they are NOT the same. The mech itself it very quiet and you don't really even know it is doing anything until you see the movement on top. There is a little vibration and I think it is coming from the leather coupling between the motor and the gear box; not between the gear box and the mech. There might be a way to rebalance the coupling but I haven't delved into that yet. Anyway, thanks for the comments and suggestions.

Your'e welcome Harry good luck with the project I presume you have the manual on the 16-E if not it is in Riders. the manual should have the needle set down adjustment data HOWEVER better it play the first note of music than fall off the outer edge of the record.

Note that crystal/ceramic cartridges and magnetic cartridges need very different equalization curves in the amplifier.

Crystal and ceramic cartridges usually have outputs quite close to the RIAA characteristic, or even the characteristics of modern 78s. Usually a resistor and capacitor network is provided on the phono section to make it exact. Ceramic cartridges designed since 1957 have the EQ inside the pickup.

Magnetic cartridges will seem to be very treble heavy and bass poor, because they have constant velocity characteristics instead of the constant amplitude characteristics of ceramic cartridges. So a phono preamp with equalization is needed.

Be careful not to mix the two kinds up. if the equalization is fine but the volume is low, a flat preamp is needed. A small PA mixer preamp might work here.

Also be careful because the amp might be the hot chassis type. If so, one side of the power line might be connected to the pickup connections.