Record Player ID? Identified as a Fidelity HF42 “mini player”. - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

ben · 27th Nov 2019, 11:26 pm

Good work!
As a lad in the early 80s, it seemed everyone I knew had that HF42 player. Had a couple myself, no idea what happened to them.

There were about three versions of the amp PCB (possibly earliest with transistors, then two different ICs?) and two deck variants. ISTR The earlier ones had a white centre adaptor and 16 rpm speed.

I always thought back then it was a pity there was no headphone output so you could connect it to a better amp or speaker!

With this type of player, if there is a risk of the stylus being damaged by landing on the deck plate (if used by children, for example) I usually put a small strip of something soft along its travel plane! The UA15 had this.

For reference: The x5m cart will take ST12, ST14 (both LP and 78 tips) and ST15 (dual LP/LP) or ST19 (single LP tip).

stacman · 28th Nov 2019, 8:04 am

Nice to see inside the unit, even though basic, are they CTS pots in there? Decent if so for such a unit like this, can't see the modern equivalent nowadays having them.

Regards, Alan.

thermionic · 28th Nov 2019, 8:14 am

.....interesting to see a metal rectifier being used!

I think you have an early version there, Graham, as I’m sure the one I had as a kid used a TBA810 as the audio chip.

Cheers. SimonT.

Station X · 28th Nov 2019, 12:12 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben

Good work!
As a lad in the early 80s, it seemed everyone I knew had that HF42 player. Had a couple myself, no idea what happened to them.

There were about three versions of the amp PCB (possibly earliest with transistors, then two different ICs?) and two deck variants. ISTR The earlier ones had a white centre adaptor and 16 rpm speed.

I always thought back then it was a pity there was no headphone output so you could connect it to a better amp or speaker!

With this type of player, if there is a risk of the stylus being damaged by landing on the deck plate (if used by children, for example) I usually put a small strip of something soft along its travel plane! The UA15 had this.

For reference: The x5m cart will take ST12, ST14 (both LP and 78 tips) and ST15 (dual LP/LP) or ST19 (single LP tip).

Thanks for the info. My player does have a 16 RPM speed. It's fitted with a dual LP stylus. I don't know whether it's the original fit. I can't imagine many owners of these players playing 78's though.

af024 · 30th Nov 2019, 10:43 am

I wonder if any battery operating ones exist? I mean it looks like there was a design intent to have such a version by the very fact that the injection moulding of the compartment has battery symbols in it etc. Of course the motor would have to be changed wouldn't it. I must have seen many 10s of these in the flesh and probably 20+ photos too, but I've never seen a battery one. It's all very mysterious.

ben · 30th Nov 2019, 4:24 pm

According to forum member Grubhjead's catalogue, a battery one was made but for export. see here.

kirstyd · 1st Dec 2019, 10:07 pm

There's a red battery cover for this model on Ebay right now.

Station X · 2nd Dec 2019, 8:50 am

Thanks for drawing that to my attention.

Station X · 2nd Dec 2019, 8:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by stacman

Nice to see inside the unit, even though basic, are they CTS pots in there? Decent if so for such a unit like this, can't see the modern equivalent nowadays having them.

Regards, Alan.

Yes Alan. They are CTS pots as the picture in post #17 shows.

Station X · 6th Dec 2019, 1:18 pm

I now have a lid for the battery/mains lead compartment. Just need to turn up a fixing screw and cross pin for it.

teetoon · 7th Dec 2019, 1:12 am

Hi Graham. Don't know if you've seen this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1970-80-s...0AAOSwFChdngd~
It's the advertising leaflet that I thought might be interesting along with the recipt.
I didn't realise they were still available in 1980.

David.

Station X · 15th Jan 2020, 4:27 pm

This now has a lid for which I made a coin operated fixing screw.

I rather like this minimalist player, but I don't think I'll be keeping it.

Techman · 15th Jan 2020, 7:13 pm

Excellent work, Graham.

I know what you mean about these little players.

27th Nov 2019, 11:26 pm	#21
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Record Player ID? Identified as a Fidelity HF42 “mini player”. Good work! As a lad in the early 80s, it seemed everyone I knew had that HF42 player. Had a couple myself, no idea what happened to them. There were about three versions of the amp PCB (possibly earliest with transistors, then two different ICs?) and two deck variants. ISTR The earlier ones had a white centre adaptor and 16 rpm speed. I always thought back then it was a pity there was no headphone output so you could connect it to a better amp or speaker! With this type of player, if there is a risk of the stylus being damaged by landing on the deck plate (if used by children, for example) I usually put a small strip of something soft along its travel plane! The UA15 had this. For reference: The x5m cart will take ST12, ST14 (both LP and 78 tips) and ST15 (dual LP/LP) or ST19 (single LP tip). __________________ Regards, Ben.

28th Nov 2019, 8:04 am	#22
stacman Hexode Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 278	Re: Record Player ID? Identified as a Fidelity HF42 “mini player”. Nice to see inside the unit, even though basic, are they CTS pots in there? Decent if so for such a unit like this, can't see the modern equivalent nowadays having them. Regards, Alan.

28th Nov 2019, 8:14 am	#23
thermionic Heptode Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 988	Re: Record Player ID? Identified as a Fidelity HF42 “mini player”. .....interesting to see a metal rectifier being used! I think you have an early version there, Graham, as I’m sure the one I had as a kid used a TBA810 as the audio chip. Cheers. SimonT. __________________ The honesty of imperfection..........

30th Nov 2019, 10:43 am	#25
af024 Octode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ashby-de-la-Zouch (it's not by the sea) Posts: 1,255	Re: Record Player ID? Identified as a Fidelity HF42 “mini player”. I wonder if any battery operating ones exist? I mean it looks like there was a design intent to have such a version by the very fact that the injection moulding of the compartment has battery symbols in it etc. Of course the motor would have to be changed wouldn't it. I must have seen many 10s of these in the flesh and probably 20+ photos too, but I've never seen a battery one. It's all very mysterious. __________________ Now where on earth did I remove that from?

30th Nov 2019, 4:24 pm	#26
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Record Player ID? Identified as a Fidelity HF42 “mini player”. According to forum member Grubhjead's catalogue, a battery one was made but for export. see here. __________________ Regards, Ben.

1st Dec 2019, 10:07 pm	#27
kirstyd Heptode Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 902	Re: Record Player ID? Identified as a Fidelity HF42 “mini player”. There's a red battery cover for this model on Ebay right now.

2nd Dec 2019, 8:50 am	#28
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,286	Re: Record Player ID? Identified as a Fidelity HF42 “mini player”. Thanks for drawing that to my attention. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

6th Dec 2019, 1:18 pm	#30
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,286	Re: Record Player ID? Identified as a Fidelity HF42 “mini player”. I now have a lid for the battery/mains lead compartment. Just need to turn up a fixing screw and cross pin for it. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

7th Dec 2019, 1:12 am	#31
teetoon Heptode Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Barnstaple, N.Devon, UK. Posts: 557	Re: Record Player ID? Identified as a Fidelity HF42 “mini player”. Hi Graham. Don't know if you've seen this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1970-80-s...0AAOSwFChdngd~ It's the advertising leaflet that I thought might be interesting along with the recipt. I didn't realise they were still available in 1980. David.

15th Jan 2020, 4:27 pm	#32
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,286	Re: Record Player ID? Identified as a Fidelity HF42 “mini player”. This now has a lid for which I made a coin operated fixing screw. I rather like this minimalist player, but I don't think I'll be keeping it. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

15th Jan 2020, 7:13 pm	#33
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: Record Player ID? Identified as a Fidelity HF42 “mini player”. Excellent work, Graham. I know what you mean about these little players.