Decca Decola Restoration - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

osx86apple · 19th Jan 2021, 8:30 pm

Thank you everyone for your replies and assistance. It’s a lovely item and certainly hasn’t had any signs of repair, just thick layers of dust which is exposing a lovely clean/shiny chassis!

rontech · 20th Jan 2021, 10:34 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by vidjoman

The one I saw at a Hi-Fi show had a Garrard 301 with a Decca arm and cartridge. It was about 1962 and was priced about £1000. Sounded far better than anything else at the show.

I have no recollection of the turntable but the arm was the Decca FFSS magnetic. That arm / cartridge was considered by far the best available at the time.

vidjoman · 20th Jan 2021, 11:35 am

I’m sure it was a Garrard as it was white. The Collaro 200 was a deep cream colour.

Heatercathodeshort · 20th Jan 2021, 12:04 pm

By the look of the components it appears to be a later version, certainly early 60's.
Those large Dubiliar .47uf coupling caps to pin 5 of the EL34s look original and probably have small leaks by now, enough to damage the EL34 valves and the output transformers.
Replace them before switch on! Plenty of Mullard 'Mustard. caps that will be OK unless you are very unlucky! John.

Robint 47 · 20th Jan 2021, 4:12 pm

Info from original Decca material i still have and now some 60 years old.Yes it used the Decca FFSS arm and the FFSS head Mk 2 white for stereo and green for 78 switching was on the pre amp control unit and from an official price list 1964 it cost 348 gns The Stereo Decola was also supplied as a seperates system here the deck was replaced by a garrard 301 in white with a Decca mk 1 head.

Robin

ajgriff · 20th Jan 2021, 5:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robint 47

..... from an official price list 1964 it cost 348 gns.

Well over £7,000 in today's terms. Easy to see why there aren't too many of them around.

Alan

osx86apple · 21st Jan 2021, 1:34 pm

Thank you all for your help. Does anyone have recommendations for suppliers who do the multiple capacitors in the cans ? I’ve never been a fan of restuffing !

Heatercathodeshort · 22nd Jan 2021, 6:24 pm

Just a thought. If you want to hear the full capabilities of this Decca stereo Decola look out for a good condition recording of Ted Heath and his music, Decca phase 4 stereo PFS 4018. It was recorded in 1962 and is quite an extraordinary recording.

If you can turn the volume up, all the better! Brings back a lot of memories for me. Regards, John.

osx86apple · 22nd Jan 2021, 8:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heatercathodeshort

Just a thought. If you want to hear the full capabilities of this Decca stereo Decola look out for a good condition recording of Ted Heath and his music, Decca phase 4 stereo PFS 4018. It was recorded in 1962 and is quite an extraordinary recording.

If you can turn the volume up, all the better! Brings back a lot of memories for me. Regards, John.

Definitely going to try and get hold of this, managed to find one for sale, will keep my fingers crossed I get it

HamishBoxer · 22nd Jan 2021, 8:39 pm

John beat me to it, those large .47uF caps will not doubt be failing or fail under working conditions. Had more boost caps fail when servicing valve TV's than hot dinners with those type/colour of caps. Not to mention when they were across the mains switch.

osx86apple · 24th Jan 2021, 10:26 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by HamishBoxer

John beat me to it, those large .47uF caps will not doubt be failing or fail under working conditions. Had more boost caps fail when servicing valve TV's than hot dinners with those type/colour of caps. Not to mention when they were across the mains switch.

Yes they will be swiftly replaced along with some electrolytics in the power supply, I’m not taking any chances!

Any recommendations for the output stage what to replace the .47’s with ? Being somewhat a rarer item id rather go for some better quality components

HamishBoxer · 24th Jan 2021, 11:52 am

Did someone mention some oil filled tubular caps recently? Not sure if they were from JustRadio or not.

Not that I think any modern well rated caps wont be fine.

John Caswell · 24th Jan 2021, 5:42 pm

osx86 wrote
"Any recommendations for the output stage what to replace the .47’s with ? Being somewhat a rarer item id rather go for some better quality components"
It depends upon the HT voltage but if under 400V I would go for either Mullard C296 capacitors (colloquially called "mustard caps" here ugh!!!) or or any one of the modern PET type capacitors such as the MKT 1813 types.

John

Herald1360 · 24th Jan 2021, 6:21 pm

I'd go for an axial polyprop 1000V type. They're of a size comparable with the existing caps. You might be able to conceal them in the old cap cases- they look like the two-tone blue grey mixed dielectric type in a rigid plastic outer shell.

Not particularly cheap- you could be looking at £15 or so for a pair, but pretty much bomb proof!

osx86apple · 25th Jan 2021, 9:59 pm

Making some progress today

Concentrated on the PSU chassis first, started to clean it, underneath the thick layers of dust it’s very well preserved and clean. Removed the large 100uf and the triple 32/32/16 uf cans. Suitable replacements are on the way keeping to original style.

osx86apple · 3rd Feb 2021, 9:55 pm

So, it’s had lots of work, turned out to be more work than I’d initially thought, but well worth it! , link below showing it’s first test. Few more bits to do, but it’s sounding good!

https://youtu.be/5kvPCxo97Yc

Richardgr · 4th Feb 2021, 9:48 am

Just had a listen - lovely mellow sound! Form and function, like an old Rolls Royce or Daimler. Quality like that will never be produced again.

MurphyNut · 4th Feb 2021, 12:21 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by osx86apple

So, it’s had lots of work, turned out to be more work than I’d initially thought, but well worth it! , link below showing it’s first test. Few more bits to do, but it’s sounding good!

https://youtu.be/5kvPCxo97Yc

It's not always easy to hear what a bit of vintage equipment will actually sound like on youtube, but in this case it sounds fantastic!
I assume you're playing an LP record?

Herald1360 · 4th Feb 2021, 1:09 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richardgr

Just had a listen - lovely mellow sound! Form and function, like an old Rolls Royce or Daimler. Quality like that will never be produced again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MurphyNut

It's not always easy to hear what a bit of vintage equipment will actually sound like on youtube, but in this case it sounds fantastic!
I assume you're playing an LP record?

Interesting comments...... I'm not sure I'd agree that equipment of the quality of the Decola is no longer produced though equipment in the style would have to be bespoke.

As for listening via Youtube, that's totally dependent on the poster's recording equipment and the listener's playing equipment, never mind what happens in between as well. In my case the sound I heard on my tablet's speakers was decidedly "thin" and in no way "mellow", just clear and apparently undistorted.

osx86apple · 4th Feb 2021, 3:11 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by MurphyNut

Quote:

Originally Posted by osx86apple

So, it’s had lots of work, turned out to be more work than I’d initially thought, but well worth it! , link below showing it’s first test. Few more bits to do, but it’s sounding good!

https://youtu.be/5kvPCxo97Yc

It's not always easy to hear what a bit of vintage equipment will actually sound like on youtube, but in this case it sounds fantastic!
I assume you're playing an LP record?

Unfortunately my iPhone nor YouTube will do the sound quality any justice, however it sounds so rich and detailed in the flesh. I was using Aux input this time whilst I’m wait for some rubber rejuvenator for the idler wheel on the turntable

19th Jan 2021, 8:30 pm	#21
osx86apple Pentode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Torquay, Devon, UK. Posts: 148	Re: Decca Decola Restoration Thank you everyone for your replies and assistance. It’s a lovely item and certainly hasn’t had any signs of repair, just thick layers of dust which is exposing a lovely clean/shiny chassis! Attached Thumbnails

20th Jan 2021, 11:35 am	#23
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,326	Re: Decca Decola Restoration I’m sure it was a Garrard as it was white. The Collaro 200 was a deep cream colour.

20th Jan 2021, 12:04 pm	#24
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Decca Decola Restoration By the look of the components it appears to be a later version, certainly early 60's. Those large Dubiliar .47uf coupling caps to pin 5 of the EL34s look original and probably have small leaks by now, enough to damage the EL34 valves and the output transformers. Replace them before switch on! Plenty of Mullard 'Mustard. caps that will be OK unless you are very unlucky! John.

20th Jan 2021, 4:12 pm	#25
Robint 47 Tetrode Join Date: May 2014 Location: Bridgnorth, Shropshire, UK. Posts: 51	Re: Decca Decola Restoration Info from original Decca material i still have and now some 60 years old.Yes it used the Decca FFSS arm and the FFSS head Mk 2 white for stereo and green for 78 switching was on the pre amp control unit and from an official price list 1964 it cost 348 gns The Stereo Decola was also supplied as a seperates system here the deck was replaced by a garrard 301 in white with a Decca mk 1 head. Robin

21st Jan 2021, 1:34 pm	#27
osx86apple Pentode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Torquay, Devon, UK. Posts: 148	Re: Decca Decola Restoration Thank you all for your help. Does anyone have recommendations for suppliers who do the multiple capacitors in the cans ? I’ve never been a fan of restuffing !

22nd Jan 2021, 6:24 pm	#28
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Decca Decola Restoration Just a thought. If you want to hear the full capabilities of this Decca stereo Decola look out for a good condition recording of Ted Heath and his music, Decca phase 4 stereo PFS 4018. It was recorded in 1962 and is quite an extraordinary recording. If you can turn the volume up, all the better! Brings back a lot of memories for me. Regards, John. Attached Thumbnails

22nd Jan 2021, 8:39 pm	#30
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,932	Re: Decca Decola Restoration John beat me to it, those large .47uF caps will not doubt be failing or fail under working conditions. Had more boost caps fail when servicing valve TV's than hot dinners with those type/colour of caps. Not to mention when they were across the mains switch. __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S Last edited by HamishBoxer; 22nd Jan 2021 at 9:05 pm.

24th Jan 2021, 11:52 am	#32
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,932	Re: Decca Decola Restoration Did someone mention some oil filled tubular caps recently? Not sure if they were from JustRadio or not. Not that I think any modern well rated caps wont be fine. __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

24th Jan 2021, 5:42 pm	#33
John Caswell Hexode Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Wokingham, Berkshire, UK. Posts: 437	Re: Decca Decola Restoration osx86 wrote "Any recommendations for the output stage what to replace the .47’s with ? Being somewhat a rarer item id rather go for some better quality components" It depends upon the HT voltage but if under 400V I would go for either Mullard C296 capacitors (colloquially called "mustard caps" here ugh!!!) or or any one of the modern PET type capacitors such as the MKT 1813 types. John

24th Jan 2021, 6:21 pm	#34
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Decca Decola Restoration I'd go for an axial polyprop 1000V type. They're of a size comparable with the existing caps. You might be able to conceal them in the old cap cases- they look like the two-tone blue grey mixed dielectric type in a rigid plastic outer shell. Not particularly cheap- you could be looking at £15 or so for a pair, but pretty much bomb proof! __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

25th Jan 2021, 9:59 pm	#35
osx86apple Pentode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Torquay, Devon, UK. Posts: 148	Re: Decca Decola Restoration Making some progress today Concentrated on the PSU chassis first, started to clean it, underneath the thick layers of dust it’s very well preserved and clean. Removed the large 100uf and the triple 32/32/16 uf cans. Suitable replacements are on the way keeping to original style. Attached Thumbnails

3rd Feb 2021, 9:55 pm	#36
osx86apple Pentode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Torquay, Devon, UK. Posts: 148	Re: Decca Decola Restoration So, it’s had lots of work, turned out to be more work than I’d initially thought, but well worth it! , link below showing it’s first test. Few more bits to do, but it’s sounding good! https://youtu.be/5kvPCxo97Yc

4th Feb 2021, 9:48 am	#37
Richardgr Heptode Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Täby, Sweden Posts: 704	Re: Decca Decola Restoration Just had a listen - lovely mellow sound! Form and function, like an old Rolls Royce or Daimler. Quality like that will never be produced again.