Philips NG5055 stereo record player

[Edward Huggins]

I think your Garrard cartridge is a badged Sonotone 3059 (other Members may put me right) and these may have the indentifiers on them. Also the Stylus Lady sells the GCS36 and they might help you.

[captainking]

Thanks very much for your reply Edward

I've taken some photos but they are too large to upload I would think the cartridge is from 1970's from my old stereo.

Also I've got to work out a pre-amp to drive the ng5055 from the VHF USB module.

Regards Steve

[Audio1950]

If you look very carefully under a good light, you'll find the left and right channels marked on the top of the cartridge in very tiny raised letters.

[captainking]

Well I feel such a fool didn't even notice that used a very bright light and a big magnifying glass and yes it is clearly marked Doh!

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply

regards
Steve

[Audio1950]

Don't feel a fool - the markings aren't what you would call obvious!

[captainking]

Cheers! well it's been a very productive hour found a couple of more faults on the Philips NG5055.

The base of one of the ECL83 one of the pins is a bit sloppy causing a lot of crackling, the mono stereo sw needed an tweek to make better contact and the bal sw has a little fault. (given a good squirt of sevisoil)

So sorted out the above, wired in the VHF USB module and hey presto had a nice bit of sound. (radio 2)

Still need to get the rail volts more in line with the spec and some hum to try and eliminate

and make the cartridge work.

But looking forward to getting tip top

Thanks to everyone's input

Regards Steve

[captainking]

Progress thus far.

When I first got the unit there was no sound.

So after changing a couple of resistors that were open circuit, cleaned the mono stereo SW, cleaned the pots with spray. It's now playing sound via the VHF USB jobbie, I've still got to make the cartridge fit the head.

One of the valve holders ELC83 needs replacing so ordered some, I am still not happy with the voltage values that I can't seem to fathom. I've checked the caps and resistors they all seem fine.

There is mains hum, question is if I replaced the single strand hook up wire between the pots with screened wire to earth would this help?

There is distortion at higher volume, the volume pot is a bit crackly.

Any suggestions about the above would be a great help.

Kind regards, Steve.

[Edward Huggins]

I would only replace the unscreened wire between the Pots if the hum varies in strength with volume.

[captainking]

Thanks very much for your reply Edward.

Yes hum rises with volume, it's on one channel more than the other.

Regards, Steve.

[Edward Huggins]

OK, then use a screened lead as you surmised. Can you shield off the volume/tone control area?

[captainking]

Hi Edward

Yes I can make a tin square and fix it between, just been half an hour looking for a mag that has an article on mains hum so a fair bit of reading to do. Off work at the mo due to illness and getting under my wife's feet.

All the best
Steve

[Edward Huggins]

I suspect the hum you have is not mains (100Hz) hum as such, but early stage hum associated with the volume and tone controls being induced into the grid of the ECL83 triode. Sometimes called "grid hum". Hence screening can offer an improvment in many record players where the controls are some disitance from the amplifier.

[captainking]

Hello Edward

I will have to experiment, I will fit the new valve base and it looks like I am going to need a new DG SW vol pot 2meg x 2meg I would presume it's a log pot?

Regards
Steve

[Edward Huggins]

If it's the volume pot it will be Log.

[captainking]

Cheers Edward

Thought as much

Regards
Steve

[captainking]

My 1st attempt to modify the head-shell to accept a different cartridge just shattered into pieces, I have one more duff head-shell I will need a new Dremel cutter I think the other one was a bit fierce.

Steve

[Edward Huggins]

You would have more control over easing out the plastic if you made sure the plastic headshell was warmed and you used a brand new Stanley type knife blade. You can carefully shave out the material to the desired fitting width.

[captainking]

The head shell is quite thin but the bits inside are quite hard plastic, if all fails i will replace the whole arm for a new type with easy to get hold of cartridge.

Steve