Retro and budget home hi fi

General Discussion Forums Life, The Universe and (almost) Everything!
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Lovely looking music centre Barrie - it really has come up just like new.  Well done.

This is a very interesting thread, and I look forward to the almost daily updates and banter.  Some (well, to be honest, most!) of the really technical stuff does go right over my head, and when a circuit diagram appears, I simply glaze over.  But it’s interesting to read the tales of tinkering, and I admire you for having-a-go at trying to sort out the odd little gremlin which inevitably crops up in these 40-odd year old stereo systems.

I have a lovely Sony STR 6036A receiver, which I acquired on eBay last year.  Very early 70s looking, with brushed aluminium fascia, numerous knobs and buttons, and a beautiful soft green light behind the linear analogue tuning dial - magic !  Very lucky to find this one I think, even though they often crop up in auctions.  I acquired a similar one the year before (for next to nothing I must admit) that suffered from iffy sound for some reason or other - so binned it.  This one sounds perfect to my 65-year old ears (!), and I’m very happy with it. 

I got a Sony PS 5520 turntable to play through it recently.  Although with a new stylus and drive belt, it sounds good, the automatic return mechanism doesn’t quite work properly.  In a moment of false bravado, I did take it apart to try to discover why (after all it’s not rocket science - is it ?!), but even after cleaning away forty years of gunked-up grease and re-lubricating, it still doesn’t want to return the tone arm properly.  I didn’t pay much for it (about fifty quid), so I can live with having to do everything manually for a while.  This particular model doesn’t come up for auction very often, but I am keeping my eyes peeled for another one.

I have to say though, that despite loving the facility to play my old vinyl from time to time, for ease-of-use reasons, I do often simply use my PC or my old smart-phone (which I use to store music files on - like an iPod), to play through the various old 70s systems that I have dotted about the house (and summer house), using a lead with a 3.5mm (earphone) jack at one end, and two RCA plugs on the other, simply plugged into the AUX inputs of the amps. 

Looking forward to the next instalment…

   

            

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Hiya Chris, I’m attempting to do the same regarding phone connection. I have Spotify on the phone which I really like. Not having phono sockets on the Hitachi has proved a slight problem in connecting a Bluetooth reciever to it but thanks to advice from those that know  looks like this will be resolved shortly. RichardFX for the guidance and Countryboy for his kind offer of a DIN to RCA phono adapter, I’ve also ordered a DIN to 4 X RCA to work out what does what. Love a good tinker, small stuff that I can deal with, that is  

Tha Sony stuff from that era looks amazing equipment. I’ll have a google at what you’ve mentioned  The aluminium fascia/knobs/switchgear just leaves me in awe. So heavy and well put together  Some  stuff, obviously is mega expensive and way out of my league but the type of gear that I tend to go for is inexpensive and sounds so nice, like the stuff your dealing with  long may there be a supply of this stuff!

The pic of the tuner display I posted, the Perspex front is held by 4 plastic rivets which came away fairly easily to expose the tuner face itself. 40 years of dust had managed to get in there, but careful cleaning and a soapy, gentle wash of the PerspeX, left to air dry, brought it back to almost showroom condition! I need to get back inside as the tape counter has stopped functioning, belt I guess looking at the service manual, I have a supply of new belts in various sizes so might not be a difficult fix. Always something to do! 

Barrie

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Hey Barrie,

Yes, I’ve been reading about your problems with DIN plugs this last week or so.  It seems a bit odd that a HiFi manufacturer should not include any AUX RCA inputs on the rear panel, but I guess that on a unit which would have been seen as an all-in-one system, it was perhaps understandable.  Still, I’m sure that once you work out the appropriate wiring for the DIN plug, that you’ll sort it out.  Good luck.

I do love the look of the old early 1970s HiFi systems, and the sound seems to be so full and wholesome to my old ears.  As you pointed out, they are very heavy, which gives the impression of quality.  They were also manufactured to be repairable, but in the 21st century, with labour charges for repairing things so high, even if the necessary parts can be found, it can cost a King’s ransom to get it done!

I paid £110.00 for my Sony STR 6036A receiver - which I thought was fair, especially considering the condition of it - absolutely tip-top.  As I posted earlier on in this thread, I have a Sony ST70 amp and its matching TA70 tuner in my summer house, through which I normally play an old smart-phone loaded up with my favourite music.  It was of course, the entry-level Sony system back in the day, and in truth, nothing special, just dead cute to look at, and that lovely ‘warm’ 70s sound - I love it.  I also have the same manufacturer’s subsequent ST73 and TA73 set up in my office - very similar to their predecessors, only 14 inches wide, teak-veneered casing, and lovely brushed aluminium fascias.

    

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Have you tired getting intouch with Mark Grant cables.  He makes small batches and could be the man to go to for your cable issues.

Also David Brook at Mains cables r us might be worth a shout.

Loving the system, looks great.  I run a classic Technics SL5 linear tracking turntable with my other more modern equipment.  Used to have a Beogram 5005 in the not too distant past.

 

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Hiya,

“Have you tired getting intouch with Mark Grant cables.  He makes small batches and could be the man to go to for your cable issues.”

Thank you  I’ve ordered a 5 pin 180* DIN to 4 RCA phono female out, this will/should allow all permutations of input and output to and from the DIN socket on the rear, it was only a few pounds on Amazon ( thanks to RichardFX for the link.) However it’s wired, I should be able to get R/L channels input from that adapter. Coupled to a 2x male RCA phono plug to 3.5mm male Jack that i already have, to plug into the Bluetooth receiver. I’ve also got my fingers crossed that the adapter lead kindly offered by Countryboy, will do it! If I can actually ascertain the pin configuration correctly, a combinaction of RCA female socket colour referenced to the pin diagram for the adapter, then job done. I might then follow up on your advice and get a more bespoke cable made up. Thank you for cable people, I known where to look now 

Regards

Barrie

 

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Chris, I presume this is your model? Very, very nice! Love the green illumination  What’s nothing to like about these behemoths of the retro home audio world! 

Barrie

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A 3 pin DIN plug has pins 1, 2 & 3. A 5 pin DIN has two extra pins 4 & 5 between these. That explains why the order is 1, 4, 2, 5, 3. You can plug a 3 pin mono lead in to a 5 pin socket for in and out on the left channel.

Here’s the connections.

Pin        Mono          Stereo          MIDI

1           In              Left In

4                            Right In        Current Source

2           Earth         Earth            Earth

5                            Right Out      Current Sink

3           Out            Left Out

So what that means is that if you have a 5 pin DIN to phono or mini jack that is wired for MIDI you will have Right channel in and out.

I’ve made up loads of DIN leads in the past but if you want me to make one now I’ll need to find my glasses and stay off the coffee for a couple of days.

 

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There’s something about the feel of those Sony control knobs with the wide deep indentations around them. Don’t think any other manufacturer made anything quite so tactile.

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Hi Paul, thanks mate  Yes, DIN sockets!  wouldn’t want you not have your caffeine fix!  I did start to have a look at wireable DIN plugs then gave up, a dark art methinks.

I’ll try the new lead when it arrives, 4 RCA female ends wired to the 5 DIN plug should allow me to get the two inputs L/R that I’m currently only seeing right channel (I think) TBH, plenty of sound from the mono speaker but the whole system sounds fantastic in TUNER- CASSETTE- TURNTABLE modes that it would be great to have the same with Bluetooth connection as well. 

An even weirder DIN plug is on the front for the headphone socket? Looks to have many, many pins in totally obscure positions? It does have a 6.3mm Jack socket as well, which I’m using for the phones  I’ll get a pic up of the offending item.

Barrie

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Here it is, phone pic not very good but you get the idea. 

I have searched and found some retro cans with such a plug, might invest for completeness  and the original stereo microphones that went with this system, also with a DIN connection. Loving it.

Barrie

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Hey Barrie,

Yes, that’s the fella.  Sony also made the similar-looking STR 6046A which had a bit more oomph !

 

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Here’s a pic of my knob, well the tuning one on the Hitachi 

Very light knurling, not in the same league as the Sony equivalent!

Barrie

 

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Leads (and adaptors) from this plug to a 1/4" stereo jack socket do exist, I passed one on EBay but have lost it now.  If I see it again I’ll add a link here. 

That particular socket in your picture has a switch hidden on each side to mute the speakers so you can have headphones only.  Some of the “Dice” DIN headphone plugs have two key-ways so you can swap L and R by merely inverting the plug. (Myself I merely swap the headphones around to the other ears)

However, the “Dice” DIN plug is still made (in UK apparently!) and available at CPC Farnell as Deltron 611-0520 “5 way Dice” and it is cheap but I don’t know what the Minimum Order price is, being so long since I bought anything from them.

Have fun

Richard

EDIT.

Here is the data sheet pdf

EDIT 2

Here is the Dice plug to a female jack

 

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Thanks Richard, didn’t think anything like that would still be available? 

Barrie

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Following on with the LEAK theme, I saw this

It went for £173 in the end, which I thought was a great price  LEAK badged Goldring / Lenco 75 in what appeared to be nice condition, just missing it’s anti skate weight but had four headshell/cartridge set ups included.

Barrie

EDIT:

Having re read this post, it sounds like I bought this deck? Alas not, was beyond my frugal budget! Would have loved to have it though  

 The search continues!

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The asking prices of vintage turntables on eBay seem crazy to me.

Back in the early 1970s, Sony’s cheapest record deck was the PS230, which didn’t even have a belt drive, but relied on a rubber wheel running on the inside rim of the platter.  At the moment, there is one for sale on eBay with a starting price of £180.00 !  This is a lot more than it would have cost brand new.

Funny old world isn’t it ?

 

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Neither of the Garrard turntables much loved by audiophiles (especially Japanese!) were belt driven.  The 301 was I believe rim driven and the 401 has a rubber intermediate wheel drive.  Have you seen the prices they fetch?

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I’ve really started to research the Goldring/Lenco 75 turntables and the various rebadged versions, not least, the LEAK ones 

They are driven by an idler wheel that runs vertically onto the base of the platter, they have four speed settings and a bit more! The detents at 16, 33, 45 and 78rpm are adjustable and there is more available at either end of the scales, so fully variable, The standard tonearm sits in V blocks which wear, leading to a sloppy, unbalanced arm. This fortunately, is an easy fix and quite a few pattern blocks in various materials are available. Other missing bits appear all the time too on eBay. In fact, I found someone selling a complete LEAK handbook package including original receipts, guarantee cards, a printed cartridge overhang gauge, various packets with anti skate weights etc inside. Could not resist, so definitely need to find a TT to suit now

Goodmans/Lenco/Goldring/Leak amongst other versions of this 75 TT seem to pop up but as said, some prices are quite high  Aftermarket Perspex lids can be bought and almost every other bit, new or secondhand is available. You can even buy rare wood veneer solid plinths! Quite a well regarded TT apparently.

Barrie

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The 301, 401, 501 all use an idler wheel, a great big thing like a tyre, makes the slim elegant Goldring idler look like a wisp.  It runs on the inside of the rim.

The key thing to remember with the Goldring wheel is that it needs that sharp edge for two reasons, 1) to find the consistent spot on the taper of the motor spindle and 2) to not cause/transmit rumble to the underside of the turntable.  Also remember to disengage it when not playing to prevent flat spots or indentations.  Some batches kept their smooth supple elasticity (staying quiet) for years, others age hardened (becoming noisy) in mere months. (Experience from work in the 1970s)

The 301 can be modified to reduce its hum and rumble to less than the surface noise of a high quality pressing.  Many people came up with a variety of solutions, some costing lots.  Mine were very cheap, I had no money.

Most of the 301 ‘hum’ is actually mechanical vibration from the motor transmitted to the tone arm, and I minimised this on mine by dropping the running voltage to 200V with a suitable power resistor and also putting rubber sleeves around the pins the motor-mounting springs attached to - so no hard metal to metal contact.   I also put the idler wheel into the lathe and reduced the tread width to half.  That idler is almost forty years old, and I need a new softer one (avoid NOS Garrard items), but I’m not prepared to spend 90 euros and for now (with care when starting) a 1.5mm O-ring makes a good soft running surface and is a lot cheaper at 50p.  The turntable is mounted on a 1" solid pine engineered-board shelf cross-braced underneath around the deck aperture and sitting on battens bolted to the walls of the bay the electronics live in. The SME nestles in the usual four small grommets around the screws to the base board.

I tried various cartridges, for a while with a V15 MkIII, but eventually settled on an M75ED type 2 as the best sound for my combination of deck and arm.

 

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Interesting that mention should be made of certain other decks from the 70s, now quite sought after apparently, also having the rubber wheel / rim drive.

In 1970 or 71 (I forget which), when I first started work, I bought my first ‘proper’ stereo from a local TV / HiFi shop.  I don’t recall the model number of the Sony receiver I purchased at the time, but the only record deck I could afford was the PS230.  As I wrote in my previous post, it was Sony’s ‘starter’ turntable - the cheapest they made at the time.  I believe that the next one up the price scale was the belt-driven PS5520 - an example of which I have now, playing through a similar vintage Sony STR6036A receiver, purchased a year or so back via eBay.

I was still learning about HiFis back then, and I remember reading that rim-driven turntables were prone to ‘rumble’ which could be heard through the speakers.  I never actually noticed this though, and was always careful to disengage the drive wheel, by moving the speed-selecting lever to its mid or neutral position, as recommended in the instruction book to prevent a flat-spot on the wheel.  I kept that system for some fifteen years with no issues, until I bought a Pioneer ‘midi’ system, with CD player around 1986.