Marconiphone Unit Three - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

geraldo · 29th Jun 2017, 4:39 pm

On the front of there are 6 controls. The fourth one controls the volume. The sound now only starts at No. 5. Previously it only needed to be on 1 or 2.
I am a capable person, and can follow any instructions if anyone can help.

This is a vintage Marconiphone Unit Three, circa 1970s. Cost new £84/14s

AC/HL · 30th Jun 2017, 12:34 pm

There's some relevant information in this thread: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=95646

Station X · 30th Jun 2017, 12:37 pm

There were at least two versions of the Unit 3.

Is this the one you have?

https://www.home-alchemy.com/product...-record-player

Station X · 30th Jun 2017, 3:02 pm

geraldo has confirmed that his unit is identical to that linked to in post #3.

Edward Huggins · 30th Jun 2017, 3:15 pm

Suggest that the OP tests the output levels on the radio/tape switched inputs using say a portable radio, CD or tape player. If the sound level is as expected i.e. volume on these sources starts as from 1/2 upwards, then the 4 contact Sonotone cartridge plug may need checking for oxidisation.

geraldo · 6th Jul 2017, 7:00 pm

thanks for all that cartridge was replaced with AN ORTOFON SINGLE STYLUS IN DECEMBER 2014..the reason being I broke the original .was unable to track down a replacement original. unable to understand the rest of your info . thanks. Geraldo.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 6th Jul 2017, 9:34 pm

If you have fitted an Ortofon cartridge, AFAIK, they are all Magnetc types, which have a much lower output than ceramic or crystal cartridges. A preamplifier would be needed to enable the Ortofon Cartridge to drive the amplifier in the Unit Three properly. If you are referring to the suggestions made by Edward in post #5, he means to use a portable radio or other device to check if the Unit Three is working as it should

geraldo · 10th Jul 2017, 5:24 pm

thanks. I have a radiogram. vintage 1950s. if I can connect record player to radio gram. play a record through that. is that possible ?. there is a connection on the record player for radio. this probably suggests to playing radio through record deck amp. not the other way round?.

Edward Huggins · 10th Jul 2017, 7:05 pm

This will not solve the prblem. The Ortofon will just not work properly with your type of Unit 3 record player. You will need a new Ceramic Stereo cartridge. I would suggest a BSR SC11M or SC12H.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 10th Jul 2017, 7:28 pm

That connection is probably an output designed to allow the connection of a Tape Recorder, although, as it's labelled 'Radio' it may work as an input, though it still won't match the Ortofon Cartridge you have fitted. What puzzles me is why a Radiogram would have a connection marked 'radio'

geraldo · 14th Jul 2017, 2:51 pm

Will the BSR SC11M be identical to the original? Also will it be the turn over type stylus that the original had-I.E. LP/78.

Edward Huggins · 14th Jul 2017, 6:54 pm

These were normally fitted by Thorn with a Sonotone 8T or 9TA cartridge - is this what's in yours or has it been changed? The BSR SC11M will not be identical to these although it will have a similar output, also it will have a similar "flip-under" (not "turnover") stylus, which can be ordered as LPS/78 or LPS/LPS and it will fit inside the detachable head. However the 4 connections (RH+, RH-, LH+ and LH-) will need re-wiring with push on connectors. Is this something you can do yourself?

'LIVEWIRE?' · 14th Jul 2017, 7:09 pm

The SC11m series uses what I term a 'flip under' stylus. These can be 2 x LP?45 tips or 1 x LP + 1 x 78 stylus.

geraldo · 15th Jul 2017, 1:19 pm

thanks EDWARD .the push on connectors are already on at present. they are fiddly but possible even by me. I generally make a small sketch where everything goes. before starting any disconnection WHERE can I obtain the replacement you suggest?. GERALD.

Edward Huggins · 15th Jul 2017, 3:29 pm

You sould be able to get from Maplins or Musonic or The Stylus Lady or Mantra Audio. There may also be other suppliers who may also have stocks, that will come up on google. Expect to pay £35-40.

geraldo · 17th Jul 2017, 5:46 pm

right I will try MAPLIN first as there is one within my range. will let you know how I get on. GERALD.

geraldo · 17th Jul 2017, 7:06 pm

I clicked onto MAPLIN. nothing came up.

Tom_I · 17th Jul 2017, 7:26 pm

Here's a link: http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/ceramic-st...e-sc-12m-hr10l

Tom_I · 17th Jul 2017, 10:31 pm

Just a thought, if you go to Maplins, check whether the cartridge comes with a mounting bracket. One reviewer on the site says that theirs didn't, even though it's shown with one in the picture.

Other sources mentioned include Musonic, who list the SC11M, but they were out of stock when I looked.

Mantra Audio list both the SC11M and SC12M, the latter being a reproduction.

Then there's The Stylus Lady, who has a selection of BSR (and other) ceramic cartridges, mostly used, with and without mounting brackets.

Good luck!

geraldo · 19th Jul 2017, 12:35 pm

just to let you know that KARA@STYLESPLUS.CO.UK no longer stock these parts as there is no call for them. at their shop.

29th Jun 2017, 4:39 pm	#1
geraldo Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Billericay, Essex, UK. Posts: 12	Marconiphone Unit Three On the front of there are 6 controls. The fourth one controls the volume. The sound now only starts at No. 5. Previously it only needed to be on 1 or 2. I am a capable person, and can follow any instructions if anyone can help. This is a vintage Marconiphone Unit Three, circa 1970s. Cost new £84/14s

30th Jun 2017, 12:34 pm	#2
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three There's some relevant information in this thread: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=95646

30th Jun 2017, 3:02 pm	#4
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three geraldo has confirmed that his unit is identical to that linked to in post #3. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

6th Jul 2017, 7:00 pm	#6
geraldo Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Billericay, Essex, UK. Posts: 12	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three thanks for all that cartridge was replaced with AN ORTOFON SINGLE STYLUS IN DECEMBER 2014..the reason being I broke the original .was unable to track down a replacement original. unable to understand the rest of your info . thanks. Geraldo.

6th Jul 2017, 9:34 pm	#7
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three If you have fitted an Ortofon cartridge, AFAIK, they are all Magnetc types, which have a much lower output than ceramic or crystal cartridges. A preamplifier would be needed to enable the Ortofon Cartridge to drive the amplifier in the Unit Three properly. If you are referring to the suggestions made by Edward in post #5, he means to use a portable radio or other device to check if the Unit Three is working as it should

30th Jun 2017, 12:37 pm	#3
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three There were at least two versions of the Unit 3. Is this the one you have? https://www.home-alchemy.com/product...-record-player __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

30th Jun 2017, 3:15 pm	#5
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,335	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three Suggest that the OP tests the output levels on the radio/tape switched inputs using say a portable radio, CD or tape player. If the sound level is as expected i.e. volume on these sources starts as from 1/2 upwards, then the 4 contact Sonotone cartridge plug may need checking for oxidisation. __________________ Edward.

10th Jul 2017, 5:24 pm	#8
geraldo Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Billericay, Essex, UK. Posts: 12	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three thanks. I have a radiogram. vintage 1950s. if I can connect record player to radio gram. play a record through that. is that possible ?. there is a connection on the record player for radio. this probably suggests to playing radio through record deck amp. not the other way round?.

10th Jul 2017, 7:05 pm	#9
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,335	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three This will not solve the prblem. The Ortofon will just not work properly with your type of Unit 3 record player. You will need a new Ceramic Stereo cartridge. I would suggest a BSR SC11M or SC12H. __________________ Edward.

10th Jul 2017, 7:28 pm	#10
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three That connection is probably an output designed to allow the connection of a Tape Recorder, although, as it's labelled 'Radio' it may work as an input, though it still won't match the Ortofon Cartridge you have fitted. What puzzles me is why a Radiogram would have a connection marked 'radio'

14th Jul 2017, 2:51 pm	#11
geraldo Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Billericay, Essex, UK. Posts: 12	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three Will the BSR SC11M be identical to the original? Also will it be the turn over type stylus that the original had-I.E. LP/78.

14th Jul 2017, 6:54 pm	#12
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,335	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three These were normally fitted by Thorn with a Sonotone 8T or 9TA cartridge - is this what's in yours or has it been changed? The BSR SC11M will not be identical to these although it will have a similar output, also it will have a similar "flip-under" (not "turnover") stylus, which can be ordered as LPS/78 or LPS/LPS and it will fit inside the detachable head. However the 4 connections (RH+, RH-, LH+ and LH-) will need re-wiring with push on connectors. Is this something you can do yourself? __________________ Edward.

14th Jul 2017, 7:09 pm	#13
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three The SC11m series uses what I term a 'flip under' stylus. These can be 2 x LP?45 tips or 1 x LP + 1 x 78 stylus.

15th Jul 2017, 1:19 pm	#14
geraldo Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Billericay, Essex, UK. Posts: 12	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three thanks EDWARD .the push on connectors are already on at present. they are fiddly but possible even by me. I generally make a small sketch where everything goes. before starting any disconnection WHERE can I obtain the replacement you suggest?. GERALD.

15th Jul 2017, 3:29 pm	#15
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,335	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three You sould be able to get from Maplins or Musonic or The Stylus Lady or Mantra Audio. There may also be other suppliers who may also have stocks, that will come up on google. Expect to pay £35-40. __________________ Edward.

17th Jul 2017, 5:46 pm	#16
geraldo Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Billericay, Essex, UK. Posts: 12	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three right I will try MAPLIN first as there is one within my range. will let you know how I get on. GERALD.

17th Jul 2017, 7:06 pm	#17
geraldo Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Billericay, Essex, UK. Posts: 12	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three I clicked onto MAPLIN. nothing came up.

17th Jul 2017, 7:26 pm	#18
Tom_I Heptode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Herts. UK. Posts: 549	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three Here's a link: http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/ceramic-st...e-sc-12m-hr10l

17th Jul 2017, 10:31 pm	#19
Tom_I Heptode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Herts. UK. Posts: 549	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three Just a thought, if you go to Maplins, check whether the cartridge comes with a mounting bracket. One reviewer on the site says that theirs didn't, even though it's shown with one in the picture. Other sources mentioned include Musonic, who list the SC11M, but they were out of stock when I looked. Mantra Audio list both the SC11M and SC12M, the latter being a reproduction. Then there's The Stylus Lady, who has a selection of BSR (and other) ceramic cartridges, mostly used, with and without mounting brackets. Good luck!

19th Jul 2017, 12:35 pm	#20
geraldo Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Billericay, Essex, UK. Posts: 12	Re: Marconiphone Unit Three just to let you know that KARA@STYLESPLUS.CO.UK no longer stock these parts as there is no call for them. at their shop.