Do you have access to a Dictaphone machine? The pickup in the machine (at least the larger gray machines from the 50s)... https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/images2/1/0916/28/dictaphone-time-master-timemaster_1_622f918119921d3c90f7b835d3d85702.jpg ...is crystal, which gives a line-level output that can be plugged directly into an unbalanced input on a mixing board. Whenever I have to transfer a Dictabelt, I just play it on one of my machines that way. The speed varies from machine to machine so you'll have to adjust the pitch after you transfer it. -- David Breneman [log in to unmask] Von: "Mickey Clark" <[log in to unmask]> Hello-The closest think I have seen to the Dictabelt is the pre-grooved Victor blanks and filmophone - those both used something I seem to remember as a "spade"shaped stylus - quite a few years since I have had one of these so I might have the wrong name for it - Mickey From: Jeff Willens I’ve been trying to research the ideal stylus size and shape for playing back Dictabelts (specifically blue 1960s belts. I assume there is no material difference between the red and blue belts). I can’t find anything. I don’t want a combination that’s so heavy or sharp that the embossed groove is damaged. Any guesses?