Set ID anyone?
 

This is for sale locally but I'd like to know a little about it. Thanks all.

Re: Set ID anyone?
 

It looks like a later version of the Bush 823 with varicap tuning. 2 chip decoder which IMHO wasn't as good as the earlier single chip version.
If you do buy it check the thermistor on the power supply panel for dry joints . They used to fail, burn a hole in the panel and because it was back to back with the decoder it could splat the back of the decoder and cause a lot of damage. The flyback tuning capacitor(s?) should probably be changed and the smoothers checked before applying power.
Good luck if you do go for it!

Re: Set ID anyone?
 

Didn't they do a presentation of the Z718 with a similar cabinet?

Re: Set ID anyone?
 

It's a Murphy CV2614 fitted with the A823AV chassis, relatively reliable but not a great performer. These were flying off the shelves where I worked during the colour boom days. May have been late 73 when it was released.

I can't be sure but it looks like the door over the tuning controls is still there. It was very flimsy, often got broken and the tiny spring lost.

John.

Re: Set ID anyone?
 

Without doubt the worst quality picture of the 1970s but as John says predictable and reliable. Customers never complained about the poor colour/general performance and it would have been a nightmare if they had! John.

Re: Set ID anyone?
 

They certainly had a dull picture, especially nwhen viewed beside a G8, Thorn or even the Pye 697. I always found it a disappointment to fit a new tube and be greeted with a mediocre picture. The older one-chip decoder had the edge on performance. However it wasn't till the late Seventies with the Z718 then T2X series that RBM eventually had a set with a good picture. Odd, as the A640 and A816 monos were the best performers in their group.

Re: Set ID anyone?
 

Interesting you should say that Glyn. The 640, 816 and Z718 were all designed by the same team, The A823 being designed by another team. Before I left RBM, I built a frankenstein set for use at home, based on the A823, but with the signals panel from the A718 . The set worked well and only needed a new tripler and tube throughout it's long life.
Dave

Re: Set ID anyone?
 

Funny you should mention your Frankenstein set Dave,I’ve had plans for a long time to us an A823 for some major rework. I have two identical Coop sets, one will be returned to life as originally designed and the other will have the decoder updated and the bouncy-bouncy thyristor PSU updated to possibly a switch mode design.

John.