Braun SK5 no sound from the record player - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

himsonli · 6th Jul 2020, 5:05 pm

Hi,
I bought a Braun SK5 recently, but unfortunately the turntable (PC3) broke into pieces during the delivery. The seller sent me a PC3 turntable for replacement.

I installed it to my SK5 following the original connection of the cables, the turntable turn in correct speed, however there is no sound coming out from the speaker when I play the vinyl. Also, when I touch the needle, there is no sound or any noise created, is the cartridge out of connection?

The radio is working, sound coming out from the speaker clearly, so the speaker doesn't have problem.

Anyone can help? THANKS!

Station X · 6th Jul 2020, 6:24 pm

Hello and welcome to the forums.

Type "buzz test" into the Google Custom Search box at the top of this page.

himsonli · 6th Jul 2020, 6:33 pm

Thanks for your reply!

I'm new to record player, I have no idea what "buzz test" is.

I tried to search "buzz test", but I'm not sure which post is helpful.

John10b · 6th Jul 2020, 7:06 pm

I don’t know this model, so can only make some suggestions.
1. It would seem selection between radio and rp is made with push buttons, I would suggest you press these buttons several times when playing a record, they could be dirty etc.
2. Double check that you have connected the rp pickup lead correctly, I couldn’t make out clearly the connections from your picture.
John

himsonli · 6th Jul 2020, 7:11 pm

Use finger touching green area --> loud noise come out from the speaker
Use finger touching red area --> totally no sound

I press and un-press the "phono" button for many times, it doesn't help.

Station X · 6th Jul 2020, 7:17 pm

Sounds like the cartridge is faulty.

Before replacing it check that the tags on both wires are making good contact with the pins on the cartridge.

himsonli · 6th Jul 2020, 7:36 pm

Yes, they are touching each other.

Station X · 6th Jul 2020, 9:13 pm

I'm not completely au fait with these decks, but I believe they feature a flip over cartridge with two styluses (needles). This probably means that there are some wiping contacts which connect the cartridge to the wires whilst allowing the cartridge to be rotated. I'd check this out to make sure the contacts aren't dirty.

You'll find several threads describing how to fit alternative cartridges to these players.

Station X · 6th Jul 2020, 9:30 pm

If the cartridge is faulty you may be able to replace in with a Chinese one such as this.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RECORD-PL...UAAOSwdJtdWnYV

I imagine they're readily available in Hong Kong?

himsonli · 10th Jul 2020, 6:43 pm

Thanks for your help!

I just wonder if this cartridge is suitable too?

https://ebay.to/2ZVD4XL

Herald1360 · 10th Jul 2020, 9:32 pm

Probably electrically compatible, but mounting would require some ingenuity. It doesn't look like the tonearm is designed to fit a standard half inch mount type of cartridge. Depends on whether "destructive" modifications to the arm are acceptable I would think.

AC/HL · 10th Jul 2020, 11:41 pm

It can be done: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=57036

music-centre · 11th Jul 2020, 11:24 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by himsonli

Hi,
I bought a Braun SK5 recently, but unfortunately the turntable (PC3) broke into pieces during the delivery. The seller sent me a PC3 turntable for replacement.

I installed it to my SK5 following the original connection of the cables

You don't say if you have tried the cartridge from the original turntable that was received damaged, whether there was any output?
Steve.

Station X · 11th Jul 2020, 11:56 am

I'd try cleaning the wiping contacts. They look tarnished to me.

ben · 11th Jul 2020, 4:12 pm

About 8 months ago I restored a player with one of these decks. I managed to fit a Ronette 105 into the headshell, which already had the mounting for Ronette carts. Will see if I can find some photos.

himsonli · 11th Jul 2020, 4:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by music-centre

You don't say if you have tried the cartridge from the original turntable that was received damaged, whether there was any output?

The replacement that the seller sent me isn’t with the original cartridge, he refitted an unknown cartridge which was not working, no sound came out from the speaker. I thought it was the problem of that unknown cartridge, so I replaced it with the original sk451 cartridge from the broken deck. That means, both cartridges are not working.

himsonli · 11th Jul 2020, 5:31 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Station X

I'd try cleaning the wiping contacts. They look tarnished to me.

I have already tried, it didn’t help.

himsonli · 11th Jul 2020, 5:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben

About 8 months ago I restored a player with one of these decks. I managed to fit a Ronette 105 into the headshell, which already had the mounting for Ronette carts. Will see if I can find some photos.

Thanks so much! Would like to have more detail about it.
What I can do now is to fit an unoriginal cartridge, or find somewhere to buy a working original sk451 cartridge but it seems impossible.

Edward Huggins · 11th Jul 2020, 6:14 pm

There are cartridges available that should match to your Braun. However, these will be "modern", lowish-output Stereo types that were made many years after your unit. They will cost c.350HKD.

Station X · 11th Jul 2020, 6:24 pm

Can we have a link please Edward.

6th Jul 2020, 5:05 pm	#1
himsonli Triode Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 19	Braun SK5 no sound from the record player Hi, I bought a Braun SK5 recently, but unfortunately the turntable (PC3) broke into pieces during the delivery. The seller sent me a PC3 turntable for replacement. I installed it to my SK5 following the original connection of the cables, the turntable turn in correct speed, however there is no sound coming out from the speaker when I play the vinyl. Also, when I touch the needle, there is no sound or any noise created, is the cartridge out of connection? The radio is working, sound coming out from the speaker clearly, so the speaker doesn't have problem. Anyone can help? THANKS! Attached Thumbnails

6th Jul 2020, 6:24 pm	#2
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: Braun SK5 no sound from the record player Hello and welcome to the forums. Type "buzz test" into the Google Custom Search box at the top of this page. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

6th Jul 2020, 6:33 pm	#3
himsonli Triode Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 19	Re: Braun SK5 no sound from the record player Thanks for your reply! I'm new to record player, I have no idea what "buzz test" is. I tried to search "buzz test", but I'm not sure which post is helpful.

6th Jul 2020, 7:06 pm	#4
John10b Nonode Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK. Posts: 2,887	Re: Braun SK5 no sound from the record player I don’t know this model, so can only make some suggestions. 1. It would seem selection between radio and rp is made with push buttons, I would suggest you press these buttons several times when playing a record, they could be dirty etc. 2. Double check that you have connected the rp pickup lead correctly, I couldn’t make out clearly the connections from your picture. John

6th Jul 2020, 7:11 pm	#5
himsonli Triode Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 19	Re: Braun SK5 no sound from the record player Use finger touching green area --> loud noise come out from the speaker Use finger touching red area --> totally no sound I press and un-press the "phono" button for many times, it doesn't help. Attached Thumbnails

6th Jul 2020, 7:17 pm	#6
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: Braun SK5 no sound from the record player Sounds like the cartridge is faulty. Before replacing it check that the tags on both wires are making good contact with the pins on the cartridge. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

6th Jul 2020, 7:36 pm	#7
himsonli Triode Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 19	Re: Braun SK5 no sound from the record player Yes, they are touching each other.

6th Jul 2020, 9:13 pm	#8
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: Braun SK5 no sound from the record player I'm not completely au fait with these decks, but I believe they feature a flip over cartridge with two styluses (needles). This probably means that there are some wiping contacts which connect the cartridge to the wires whilst allowing the cartridge to be rotated. I'd check this out to make sure the contacts aren't dirty. You'll find several threads describing how to fit alternative cartridges to these players. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

6th Jul 2020, 9:30 pm	#9
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: Braun SK5 no sound from the record player If the cartridge is faulty you may be able to replace in with a Chinese one such as this. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RECORD-PL...UAAOSwdJtdWnYV I imagine they're readily available in Hong Kong? __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

10th Jul 2020, 6:43 pm	#10
himsonli Triode Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 19	Re: Braun SK5 no sound from the record player Thanks for your help! I just wonder if this cartridge is suitable too? https://ebay.to/2ZVD4XL

10th Jul 2020, 9:32 pm	#11
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,536	Re: Braun SK5 no sound from the record player Probably electrically compatible, but mounting would require some ingenuity. It doesn't look like the tonearm is designed to fit a standard half inch mount type of cartridge. Depends on whether "destructive" modifications to the arm are acceptable I would think. __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

10th Jul 2020, 11:41 pm	#12
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Braun SK5 no sound from the record player It can be done: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=57036

11th Jul 2020, 11:56 am	#14
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: Braun SK5 no sound from the record player I'd try cleaning the wiping contacts. They look tarnished to me. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

11th Jul 2020, 4:12 pm	#15
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Braun SK5 no sound from the record player About 8 months ago I restored a player with one of these decks. I managed to fit a Ronette 105 into the headshell, which already had the mounting for Ronette carts. Will see if I can find some photos. __________________ Regards, Ben.

11th Jul 2020, 6:14 pm	#19
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,336	Re: Braun SK5 no sound from the record player There are cartridges available that should match to your Braun. However, these will be "modern", lowish-output Stereo types that were made many years after your unit. They will cost c.350HKD. __________________ Edward.

11th Jul 2020, 6:24 pm	#20
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: Braun SK5 no sound from the record player Can we have a link please Edward. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.