RARE Trio Photoelectric Phono Cartridge w/Preamplifier

Description

You will likely not see another one of these for sale, especially both pieces and in the original box. If you are building a Trio/Kenwood Supreme setup, then you NEED this.
In the late 60's/early 70's, a few manufacturers were experimenting with different types of cartridge technology that could potentially outperform the MM and MC styles that were typical. The design involves a pair of bulbs that shine light on photo-diodes and a mask mounted to the cantilever that modulates the amount of light. The benefits of such a technology are supposed to be a reduction in noise and distortion with a reduced tip mass that weighs in at 0.5mg. Mounted to the aluminum cantilever is a .0008" x .0003" nude elliptical diamond. This set allegedly sold for 78GBP at the time, which is equivalent to over 00 today.
The cart and preamplifier work in concert and neither can work without the other. However, the engineers at Trio designed the setup to allow the consumer to quickly swap cartridges to a normal MM/MC without much effort. Just swap the headshell, rebalance the tonearm, and turn on/off the Supreme 20. The preamplifier provides the needed voltage through the tonearm wires to light up the bulbs in the headshell that allow the cartridge to function. Because this set was only released in Japan, THIS PREAMPLIFIER CAN ONLY RUN ON 100V. You will need a variac, step-up/step-down transformer, or possibly reconfigure the preamplifier's power supply to function at the standard US 117V.
The only real information about this rare piece is in the form a 1969 review in a hifi news magazine. Links below...
(http://www.saturn-sound.com/images%20-%20reviews/review%20-%20trio%20supreme%2020%20-%20hi-fi%20news%20-%20aug%2069%20-%201.jpg)
(http://www.saturn-sound.com/images%20-%20reviews/review%20-%20trio%20supreme%2020%20-%20hi-fi%20news%20-%20aug%2069%20-%202.jpg)
This cart and preamplifier are a fully working set. I have only listened to them for about an hour just to say that I heard them in person. I bought this as a collectors piece, so my intention was never to put tons of hours on it.
This packing includes...
*Original box and styrofoam packaging
*Wooden headshell box with matching serial number
*Trio Photoelectric cart (serial# 850253)
*Stylus dustcover (doesn't stay on very well)
*Polished Trio headshell cap
*Supreme 20 preamplifier
I can film a video of it playing and post it to a private youtube video if you are a serious buyer.
Also accepting offers since this item has no real record of worth or past sales.
Item will be shipped Fedex and insured for the full amount.
I have been on ebay for 17+ years and maintain a 100% positive feedback rating. Sold items include many vintage and high valued electronics so I am comfortable and familiar with how to ship and package them so they arrive safe. Bid with confidence. Unfortunately, due of the nature of vintage electronic items and speakers, returns will not be accepted and this item is being sold as-is. In the event that the shipping company manages to defeat my packaging, I will work with you to find a resolution. Thank you for your consideration in this item.
**INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE:**
The switch on the front of the preamplfier has two positions, ON and OFF/BYPASS. The rear of the preamplfier has INPUT, DIRECT OUTPUT, and P.E.C. OUTPUT. You hookup the interconnects from the turntable to the INPUT terminals on the back. The DIRECT OUTPUT terminals is where you attach interconnects that go to the normal phono stage you use for standard MM or MC carts. The P.E.C. OUTPUT is a 4' long set of permanently attached interconnects that look similar to the set coming from your turntable. You connect those to any normal line-level input (AUX, TAPE, ETC) since the Supreme 20 is amplifying and RIAA correcting the signal from the cart.
When you are setting up to use the Trio Photoelectric cart, you flip the switch to the ON position, the cart will light up and the Supreme 20 preamplifier will act as the phono stage and output to your chosen line level input. If you want to swap over to a standard MM or MC cart, you flip the switch to OFF/BYPASS and the signal from the standard cart will bypass through the Supreme 20 and into your normal phono stage.