Hitachi SDT-400 music centre. Belt and meter problems.

[Manx Nick]

Hi just picked up one of these yesterday and whilst it looked like it had lived in a barn for 30 years it fitted up ok. Radio works well, however the tape level meters are a bit lively! Needs a main belt for the tape player and a belt for the phono. Any more advice on this megatron of a hi Fi would be much appreciated! Thanks all. Nick

[Growlerman]

For belts try CPC or Cricklewood electronics. Maplins do have some but they are quite expensive.

[Grubhead]

Originally Posted by Manx Nick

Radio works well, however the tape level meters are a bit lively!

What do you mean by a bit lively?

[SiriusHardware]

Record level meters bouncing about randomly and other abnormal behaviour from the tape deck is most likely to be a dirty record-playback switch.

Prove it by holding down the record-defeat lever (or put an unimportant blank tape in) and half-press the record button a few times, not far enough to let it lock down.

If the problem comes and goes as you push and release the record button, you need to clean the actual switch.

It's a tiresome job to do properly as it involves desoldering / removing the switch from the tape PCB, taking it apart, cleaning it and reassembling it and refitting it.

You might be able to get away with running some switch cleaner down inside the switch and operating it manually (with your fingertip) 100 times or so to work the switch cleaner into all of the contacts.

[dinker11]

These are a lovely music centre when up and running. Great turntable and amp for the time of manufacturing.

I used to sell these units in around for about £500 in a curry's shop.

[Manx Nick]

Ok Great, thanks for all the advice, got a belt for the phono and it works really well.

The Tape Recording levels have actually calmed down now and the system looks great when all lit up. I love the oscillator to check the phono speed