Record Player Queries - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Hoddbod · 12th Dec 2017, 8:50 pm

Hi. Iv'e seen a Bush Midi Hi Fi 9560 for sale, and also a record player very much like a Dansette but called a Falcon.This is fitted with BSR Monarch turntable and a medium[ Brown Crystal Cartridge]. Can any body give any info. on these two machines.
Hoddbod.

Edward Huggins · 12th Dec 2017, 10:01 pm

Forget about the Bush - cheap and nasty and full of issues by now. The Falcon is OK probably from about 1958, but it is bound to need work doing to it and that brown (TC8M) cartridge can't be used for stereo records.

Hoddbod · 13th Dec 2017, 11:48 am

Hi. Iv'e seen a bush Midi[Mini] Hi fi for sale. It is a double cassette radio and record player. Can anyone give any info. on this machine.Is it any good?
Regards.
Hoddbod.

Nickthedentist · 13th Dec 2017, 12:25 pm

Could you post a pic of the unit (or a link to a photo of a similar unit)?

Chances are though that this is a budget unit made long after Bush was a quality British manufacturer. Even if I were in the market for a cheap record player, I would be very reluctant to pay more than about £10-£20 tops for it.

However, it may still perform better than the current crop of "retro" GPO/Crossley gadgets.

Nick.

DonaldStott · 13th Dec 2017, 2:04 pm

Quote:

However, it may still perform better than the current crop of "retro" GPO/Crossley gadgets.

Agreed - the current batch of Crosley turntables have over 5 grams of tracking force due to their use of inexpensive ceramic cartridges with a limited lifespan.

After only a few plays they may produce audible groove wear!

They should come with a health warning for your LPs, see here: -

https://musehelix.com/crosley-cruiser-review/

Edward Huggins · 13th Dec 2017, 9:08 pm

As advised earlier, stay well clear of the Bush. You also say you are also interested in a much older Halycon record player. These 2 units are so far apart in terms of technology and features they give us a very poor understanding of what you are actually looking for!

Records · 13th Dec 2017, 9:18 pm

I dont believe that for a second! 5 grams? The guy is obviously talking out his rear end.

I have two of these players and they have not damaged any records I've played on them, in my opinion there probably isn't enough tracking force as the arm weighs next to nothing.

Kentode · 13th Dec 2017, 9:31 pm

I wouldn't trust a review site that uses an image like THIS!

These are poor starter record players, lot's of disappointment for young people paying £20 a pop for their new vinyl.

DonaldStott · 13th Dec 2017, 9:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Records

i dont believe that for a second 5 grams, guy is obviously talking out his rear end.
I have 2 of these players and they have not damaged any records ive played on them, in my opinion there probably isnt enough tracking force as the arm weighs next to nothing

You don't have to believe me, use your Stylus Force Tracking Gauge for some empirical evidence.

DonaldStott · 14th Dec 2017, 11:00 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Records

I dont believe that for a second! 5 grams? The guy is obviously talking out his rear end.

Forgot to ask, to whom are you referring??

John10b · 14th Dec 2017, 12:42 pm

Regarding Records - post 7 comments about tracking weight. Take a look at one of the stickies - cartridge data - it is surprising, to me, the range of tracking weight on some of the older cartridges.

I have no knowledge of the one under discussion but using a pressure gauge will obviously settle any misunderstanding.

Cheers, John.

llama · 14th Dec 2017, 12:52 pm

Neat makeshift homemade stylus pressure gauge here:

http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=89.60

Graham

IanNVJ35 · 14th Dec 2017, 12:52 pm

I find the 80's Technics like QD33, DD33 to be reliable and good value. For around £60 you can get a direct drive deck, quartz locked, automatic operation, proper tonearm bearings, nice looking etc. I had budgeted £300 for a new player but instead spent £70 on an QD33 and £200 on a Jico SAS stylus for the original cartridge. Sounds lovely.

DonaldStott · 14th Dec 2017, 1:34 pm

Good choice of Technics deck - the QD33 has a tracking weight of 1.25g.

I recently fully refurbished a Technics SL-QL1 direct drive turntable and also added a Jico SAS stylus, fantastic performance.

Hoddbod · 15th Dec 2017, 3:06 pm

Hi. Well i bought the Bush and it works just fine. The records play OK and the two cassette players work well, as does the radio. Iv'e just recorded a album onto cassette and i'm listening to the replay at this moment and it sounds good. The speakers are two way and they sound pretty good, far better than the tiny speakers on a Crossly. I don't know the tracking weight on this player.
But i will be making cassette copies of my albums. And then play them on this unit.I got this unit from the British Heart Foundation for £25 and that was worth it for the cassette players alone, By the way they had a label that said it was in fully working condition, And i kept the receipt because they said if it was not i could return it.
All the best.
Hoddbod.

AC/HL · 15th Dec 2017, 3:38 pm

Result. You're happy with it, and that's the whole point of listening to music. You may wish to upgrade later, but for now, enjoy.

12th Dec 2017, 8:50 pm	#1
Hoddbod Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 64	Record Player Queries Hi. Iv'e seen a Bush Midi Hi Fi 9560 for sale, and also a record player very much like a Dansette but called a Falcon.This is fitted with BSR Monarch turntable and a medium[ Brown Crystal Cartridge]. Can any body give any info. on these two machines. Hoddbod.

12th Dec 2017, 10:01 pm	#2
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,336	Re: Record Player Queries Forget about the Bush - cheap and nasty and full of issues by now. The Falcon is OK probably from about 1958, but it is bound to need work doing to it and that brown (TC8M) cartridge can't be used for stereo records. __________________ Edward.

13th Dec 2017, 11:48 am	#3
Hoddbod Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 64	Bush Query Hi. Iv'e seen a bush Midi[Mini] Hi fi for sale. It is a double cassette radio and record player. Can anyone give any info. on this machine.Is it any good? Regards. Hoddbod.

13th Dec 2017, 12:25 pm	#4
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,861	Re: Bush Query Could you post a pic of the unit (or a link to a photo of a similar unit)? Chances are though that this is a budget unit made long after Bush was a quality British manufacturer. Even if I were in the market for a cheap record player, I would be very reluctant to pay more than about £10-£20 tops for it. However, it may still perform better than the current crop of "retro" GPO/Crossley gadgets. Nick.

13th Dec 2017, 9:08 pm	#6
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,336	Re: Bush Query As advised earlier, stay well clear of the Bush. You also say you are also interested in a much older Halycon record player. These 2 units are so far apart in terms of technology and features they give us a very poor understanding of what you are actually looking for! __________________ Edward.

13th Dec 2017, 9:18 pm	#7
Records Hexode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Harwich, Essex, UK. Posts: 429	Re: Record Player Queries I dont believe that for a second! 5 grams? The guy is obviously talking out his rear end. I have two of these players and they have not damaged any records I've played on them, in my opinion there probably isn't enough tracking force as the arm weighs next to nothing.

13th Dec 2017, 9:31 pm	#8
Kentode Octode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Yorkshire, England. Posts: 1,301	Re: Record Player Queries I wouldn't trust a review site that uses an image like THIS! These are poor starter record players, lot's of disappointment for young people paying £20 a pop for their new vinyl. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Regards, Ken. BVWS member

14th Dec 2017, 12:42 pm	#11
John10b Nonode Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK. Posts: 2,887	Re: Record Player Queries Regarding Records - post 7 comments about tracking weight. Take a look at one of the stickies - cartridge data - it is surprising, to me, the range of tracking weight on some of the older cartridges. I have no knowledge of the one under discussion but using a pressure gauge will obviously settle any misunderstanding. Cheers, John.

14th Dec 2017, 12:52 pm	#12
llama Octode Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Osyth, Nr Clacton, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,482	Re: Record Player Queries Neat makeshift homemade stylus pressure gauge here: http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=89.60 Graham __________________ Half my stuff is junk - trouble is, I don't know which half!

14th Dec 2017, 12:52 pm	#13
IanNVJ35 Heptode Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 848	Re: Record Player Queries I find the 80's Technics like QD33, DD33 to be reliable and good value. For around £60 you can get a direct drive deck, quartz locked, automatic operation, proper tonearm bearings, nice looking etc. I had budgeted £300 for a new player but instead spent £70 on an QD33 and £200 on a Jico SAS stylus for the original cartridge. Sounds lovely.

14th Dec 2017, 1:34 pm	#14
DonaldStott Octode Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Glasgow, UK. Posts: 1,848	Re: Record Player Queries Good choice of Technics deck - the QD33 has a tracking weight of 1.25g. I recently fully refurbished a Technics SL-QL1 direct drive turntable and also added a Jico SAS stylus, fantastic performance. __________________ BVWS Member

15th Dec 2017, 3:06 pm	#15
Hoddbod Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 64	Re: Record Player Queries Hi. Well i bought the Bush and it works just fine. The records play OK and the two cassette players work well, as does the radio. Iv'e just recorded a album onto cassette and i'm listening to the replay at this moment and it sounds good. The speakers are two way and they sound pretty good, far better than the tiny speakers on a Crossly. I don't know the tracking weight on this player. But i will be making cassette copies of my albums. And then play them on this unit.I got this unit from the British Heart Foundation for £25 and that was worth it for the cassette players alone, By the way they had a label that said it was in fully working condition, And i kept the receipt because they said if it was not i could return it. All the best. Hoddbod.

15th Dec 2017, 3:38 pm	#16
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Record Player Queries Result. You're happy with it, and that's the whole point of listening to music. You may wish to upgrade later, but for now, enjoy.