Pye 1005 balance and volume issues - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Andy_Clarke · 16th May 2017, 1:05 pm

I've been given a Pye 1005 record player and have some issues with it.

The main problem is the balance, with the control in the mid position the left channel is much quieter than the right. Swinging the balance all the way to the left results in a slight increase in volume from the left channel but more of an increase from the right, swinging it all the way to the right results in a slight decrease in volume from both channels. Turning the volume up results in a quite distorted output from the right channel.

I'd appreciate any advice on how to resolve the problem.

Have to say that I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to this type of record player, I'm more used to the likes of Dansettes! I've got copies of the service sheets - it looks complicated!

Edward Huggins · 16th May 2017, 6:26 pm

These Pye 1005 amplifiers do have hidden complexities and are not at all straightforward. If you are quite sure that the Pye/CBS Butterfly cartridge is not at fault, it might be best to get someone familiar with these (and their foibles) to take a look. Having an oscilloscope will help.

Andy_Clarke · 16th May 2017, 8:09 pm

Fairly sure the cartridge is ok, after swapping the L & R cartridge outputs at the two phono plugs/sockets under the deck there's no change.

leslie5555 · 19th May 2017, 12:31 am

These are extremely difficult machines to work on, did one once, never again.

Andy_Clarke · 22nd May 2017, 2:53 pm

Well, I think I'll put this on one side for now...

However I need advice on the tracking weight - I'll start another thread.

Edward Huggins · 22nd May 2017, 3:05 pm

The perfect tracking weight for the Buuerfly cartridge was 2 grams. Not easily adjustable as this was pre-set.

Andy_Clarke · 22nd May 2017, 3:35 pm

Advice needed on the tracking weight of a Pye 1005.

'As is' the tone arm floats above the turntable, I can only get to the recommended 2g tracking weight by adding a 4.5g lump of Bluetak at the cartridge end of the tone arm.

There's no sign of any weight(s) at the cartridge or behind the red plastic 'cap' on the end of the tone arm - should there be? There doesn't seem to be any adjustment for the counterweight. The tone arm moves freely.

One option I guess is to lighten the counterweight?

Edward Huggins · 22nd May 2017, 5:06 pm

There isn't any weight adjustment on the the specially modiified BSR UA15 deck's tone arm. These were only designed to be used with the Pye/CBS Butterfly cartridge which from your decscription appears to be in-situ.

Andy_Clarke · 23rd May 2017, 11:21 am

Having done a bit of research I've seen it stated:
(1) There is no adjustment for the counterweight
(2) The tracking force is pre set
(3) It's tricky to adjust the tracking force

There's obviously something amiss in my case, does anyone have one of these and can check for me whether there are any weights fitted at the cartridge end of the tone arm? As I can't find any other faults, a missing weight seems to be the issue.

16th May 2017, 1:05 pm	#1
Andy_Clarke Tetrode Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 68	Pye 1005 balance and volume issues I've been given a Pye 1005 record player and have some issues with it. The main problem is the balance, with the control in the mid position the left channel is much quieter than the right. Swinging the balance all the way to the left results in a slight increase in volume from the left channel but more of an increase from the right, swinging it all the way to the right results in a slight decrease in volume from both channels. Turning the volume up results in a quite distorted output from the right channel. I'd appreciate any advice on how to resolve the problem. Have to say that I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to this type of record player, I'm more used to the likes of Dansettes! I've got copies of the service sheets - it looks complicated!

16th May 2017, 6:26 pm	#2
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Pye 1005 balance and volume issues These Pye 1005 amplifiers do have hidden complexities and are not at all straightforward. If you are quite sure that the Pye/CBS Butterfly cartridge is not at fault, it might be best to get someone familiar with these (and their foibles) to take a look. Having an oscilloscope will help. __________________ Edward.

16th May 2017, 8:09 pm	#3
Andy_Clarke Tetrode Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 68	Re: Pye 1005 balance and volume issues Fairly sure the cartridge is ok, after swapping the L & R cartridge outputs at the two phono plugs/sockets under the deck there's no change.

19th May 2017, 12:31 am	#4
leslie5555 Heptode Join Date: May 2015 Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK. Posts: 692	Re: Pye 1005 balance and volume issues These are extremely difficult machines to work on, did one once, never again.

22nd May 2017, 2:53 pm	#5
Andy_Clarke Tetrode Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 68	Re: Pye 1005 balance and volume issues Well, I think I'll put this on one side for now... However I need advice on the tracking weight - I'll start another thread.

22nd May 2017, 3:05 pm	#6
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Pye 1005 balance and volume issues The perfect tracking weight for the Buuerfly cartridge was 2 grams. Not easily adjustable as this was pre-set. __________________ Edward.

22nd May 2017, 3:35 pm	#7
Andy_Clarke Tetrode Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 68	Pye 1005 tracking weight Advice needed on the tracking weight of a Pye 1005. 'As is' the tone arm floats above the turntable, I can only get to the recommended 2g tracking weight by adding a 4.5g lump of Bluetak at the cartridge end of the tone arm. There's no sign of any weight(s) at the cartridge or behind the red plastic 'cap' on the end of the tone arm - should there be? There doesn't seem to be any adjustment for the counterweight. The tone arm moves freely. One option I guess is to lighten the counterweight?

22nd May 2017, 5:06 pm	#8
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Pye 1005 tracking weight There isn't any weight adjustment on the the specially modiified BSR UA15 deck's tone arm. These were only designed to be used with the Pye/CBS Butterfly cartridge which from your decscription appears to be in-situ. __________________ Edward.

23rd May 2017, 11:21 am	#9
Andy_Clarke Tetrode Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 68	Re: Pye 1005 tracking weight Having done a bit of research I've seen it stated: (1) There is no adjustment for the counterweight (2) The tracking force is pre set (3) It's tricky to adjust the tracking force There's obviously something amiss in my case, does anyone have one of these and can check for me whether there are any weights fitted at the cartridge end of the tone arm? As I can't find any other faults, a missing weight seems to be the issue.