Philco 51-1733 Amp Restoration - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

kimat03 · 9th Nov 2018, 4:44 am

Hi,
I just recently purchased a Philco record player as a gift for my boyfriend. We were able to get the turntable to work however, the sound is not transmitted to the speaker; we initially get a short burst of sound followed by static. I believe it may be an amp issue but I am out of my element on this restoration. Has anyone restored a record player like this in the past or have any recommendations? Thanks!

'LIVEWIRE?' · 9th Nov 2018, 9:46 am

Have you tried the radio? If so, does the sound from that fade into static, too? In valve (tube) amplifiers there are components (referred to on this forum as 'that capacitor') which must be changed to prevent damage to expensive, if not unobtainable parts such as the output transformer. Suitable capacitors cost only a few $$, but some knowledge of electronics and the ability to use a soldering iron are needed. Be aware also that high AC and DC voltages will be present when the radio is powered up. Due to this, the work should only be carried out by someone with the necessary knowledge.

kimat03 · 9th Nov 2018, 5:00 pm

The radio is missing its antenna, so I am not sure if the sound fades to static as well. What kinds of shops are equipped to fix radios like this?
Thanks for your help.

Herald1360 · 9th Nov 2018, 8:24 pm

Not many! They may have the tools but they're unlikely to have the knowledge.

You'll likely have to find a vintage electronics specialist or perhaps a local enthusiast. The ones on here are mostly too far away to do any more than offer advice. We're also unfamiliar with the set in question, except in the general way that all vintage record players, or as here radiograms, do the same tasks in the same sort of way, like vintage cars (historic autos?) do, with just detail differences and odd quirks.

Unless a professional repair shop has techs nearing retirement, it's unlikely that they'll have any experience with valve (tube) electronic equipment. Learning time on top of fixit time gets expensive!

9th Nov 2018, 4:44 am	#1
kimat03 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Des Moines, Iowa, USA. Posts: 2	Philco 51-1733 Amp Restoration Hi, I just recently purchased a Philco record player as a gift for my boyfriend. We were able to get the turntable to work however, the sound is not transmitted to the speaker; we initially get a short burst of sound followed by static. I believe it may be an amp issue but I am out of my element on this restoration. Has anyone restored a record player like this in the past or have any recommendations? Thanks! Attached Thumbnails

9th Nov 2018, 9:46 am	#2
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Philco 51-1733 Amp Restoration Have you tried the radio? If so, does the sound from that fade into static, too? In valve (tube) amplifiers there are components (referred to on this forum as 'that capacitor') which must be changed to prevent damage to expensive, if not unobtainable parts such as the output transformer. Suitable capacitors cost only a few $$, but some knowledge of electronics and the ability to use a soldering iron are needed. Be aware also that high AC and DC voltages will be present when the radio is powered up. Due to this, the work should only be carried out by someone with the necessary knowledge.

9th Nov 2018, 5:00 pm	#3
kimat03 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Des Moines, Iowa, USA. Posts: 2	Re: Philco 51-1733 Amp Restoration The radio is missing its antenna, so I am not sure if the sound fades to static as well. What kinds of shops are equipped to fix radios like this? Thanks for your help.

9th Nov 2018, 8:24 pm	#4
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Philco 51-1733 Amp Restoration Not many! They may have the tools but they're unlikely to have the knowledge. You'll likely have to find a vintage electronics specialist or perhaps a local enthusiast. The ones on here are mostly too far away to do any more than offer advice. We're also unfamiliar with the set in question, except in the general way that all vintage record players, or as here radiograms, do the same tasks in the same sort of way, like vintage cars (historic autos?) do, with just detail differences and odd quirks. Unless a professional repair shop has techs nearing retirement, it's unlikely that they'll have any experience with valve (tube) electronic equipment. Learning time on top of fixit time gets expensive! __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O