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Vintage Audio (record players, hi-fi etc) Amplifiers, speakers, gramophones and other audio equipment. |
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23rd Jul 2018, 5:05 pm | #1 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Essex, UK.
Posts: 1,306
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Alba 432 or Fidelity HF45
Hi, I'm interested in buying a cheap auto changing stackable record player, and I have seen two for sale. The first being Alba 432, which works but has a seized turntable, and the second being Fidelity HF45 which also works but has a seized turn table.
The Alba has a (what I can work out anyway) unbranded deck, and the Fidelity has a BSR deck, which are easy to fix, too… apparently. This will also be my first "restoration" attempt so I want something fairly easy to fix too. Would like to know which has better sound and which are better over all. First image - Alba 432 Second image - Fidelity HF45 |
23rd Jul 2018, 5:30 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,302
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Re: Alba 432 or Fidelity HF45
Both decks are BSRs. I would go for the Alba. It will have a better amplifier and (from memory) a larger loudspeaker. The BSR C109 (or BSR C129) deck in this should be an easy fix. The ALBA is also liable to be better built.
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Edward. |
23rd Jul 2018, 6:09 pm | #3 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Essex, UK.
Posts: 1,306
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Re: Alba 432 or Fidelity HF45
Oh okay, thank you. I'll go for the Alba then Thanks.
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26th Jul 2018, 2:50 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK
Posts: 7,484
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Re: Alba 432 or Fidelity HF45
The turntable in the second pic has clearly been forced round, you can see the spindle pointing in the wrong direction if you look closely!
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Regards, Ben. |
26th Jul 2018, 8:50 pm | #5 | |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Essex, UK.
Posts: 1,306
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Re: Alba 432 or Fidelity HF45
Quote:
What way is the spindle meant to face? I am going to repair one of these soon and without doubt I'll need to service the deck, so I want to gain some more knowledge before hand. Thanks. |
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26th Jul 2018, 9:12 pm | #6 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 899
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Re: Alba 432 or Fidelity HF45
Just my two peneth worth but I have had both of these machines and I have to say once fettled up the Fidelity definitely had the edge on the Alba sounding much better than it has a right to.
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26th Jul 2018, 9:13 pm | #7 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
Posts: 21,192
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Re: Alba 432 or Fidelity HF45
No more discussion about the seller please.
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Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron. |
26th Jul 2018, 9:23 pm | #8 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK
Posts: 7,484
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Re: Alba 432 or Fidelity HF45
Quote:
Basically, to answer your question, the moving pieces should face the front left corner of the deck. The little notch on the shaft thus faces the arm pivot. If someone has forced a gummed up platter round, all hell can break loose as the whole bearing is forced from its location; the auto mech elements no longer line up. It can sometimes be remedied by repositioning with a strong pair of pliers with a cloth inside, but things can be damaged. I would avoid any deck showing signs of hamfistedness as you never know if it'll be serviceable. The Alba in the photo at least seems to have its spindle in position. Let's hope nobody's tempted to diddle with it in the mean time and mess it up. Let us know how you get on! PS- Another close look shows the Fidelity is sans cartridge! That's another 25-30 notes you'd have to throw at it right there.
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Regards, Ben. |
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27th Jul 2018, 12:39 am | #9 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Essex, UK.
Posts: 1,306
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Re: Alba 432 or Fidelity HF45
I have in fact bought another record player (Still a HF45, but a different one.) I have a picture of it, and I should receive it early next week, cant wait to get stuck in! It's going to be quite an experience as it has no wire, and is then obviously untested, it's also my first record player to repair. The spindle in the shown record player here is in correct position, but that is all I really know about it. I got it cheap too for £15, it is in great condition, could do with a little clean, and needs a new knob on the front but I have already found a replacement, which unfortunately isn't actually from this model, but is somewhat similar and fits the colour scheme, which I will go with unless I find an actual match. Just hoping it is okay on the inside..
Last edited by 19Seventy7; 27th Jul 2018 at 12:47 am. |
27th Jul 2018, 11:47 am | #10 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 9,637
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Re: Alba 432 or Fidelity HF45
Please start a new thread about the replacement player.
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