Delmonico Nivico Portable Turntable Radio. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

ljones0 · 4th Jun 2009, 6:34 pm

Hello all,

I'm just trying here to fix the audio output from an old portable record player. It is an unusual one, an american made one going by the name of "Delmonico Nivico". I've attached 3 pictures so everyone can see what I'm on about, btw.

This device is powered by batteries (DC 9V). The problem I am having is that there is no life in the audio output section - nothing, not a sound, not a whimper, totally lifeless. From looking inside the device it appears to have only quite a basic audio circuit.

The mechanics appear to be fine, btw.

Though I am not sure exactly where to start looking this record players' amplifier uses old-style transistors - there is definately no surface mount or ICs.

The two circuit boards in the picture are the only ones. I'm wondering could it be the audio transformer or those old transistors that are dead; I can confirm that the speaking is working btw. I have tried injecting audio into the device as best I could, but got no results.

Does anyone here know about old audio transistor amplifier designs?

Thanks

ljones

Boom · 4th Jun 2009, 6:53 pm

I'd look very carefully at those rivets on each corner of the circuit boards before getting involved.

love kt3 · 4th Jun 2009, 9:02 pm

it must be too late for me,but where is the tone arm

Nickthedentist · 4th Jun 2009, 9:39 pm

Good point! Maybe in the lid?

Steve_P · 4th Jun 2009, 9:43 pm

I was wondering that too. Maybe that's why it does not work.

Get some meter readings and we'll take it from there re: the amplifier.

Cheers,

Steve P.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 5th Jun 2009, 9:26 am

I've not come accross this model, but that amp. looks very simple, 3 transistors and a driver transformer. Not much to go wrong there, possible loss of supply to the amp PCB(switched by the PU Arm, wherever that is?!), open circuit speaker(ulikely,but possible-easily checked with a meter on a low Ohms range), or failure of one or more of the transistors. Check that leaf switch in bottom LH corner of middle picture-it could be the on/off switch operated by moving the PU Arm over the record. Incidentally the 'Nivico' part of the name suggests it was made by what is now JVC in Japan('Nivico' = Nippon Victor Company) It has that typical early 60s Japanese look, too!

roffe · 5th Jun 2009, 10:15 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfYao...eature=related

love kt3 · 5th Jun 2009, 10:39 am

hi,well now we know where the arm is,but hearing it on u-tube makes me personally prefer it when i didint know..

4th Jun 2009, 6:34 pm	#1
ljones0 Tetrode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fordingbridge, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 56	Delmonico Nivico Portable Turntable Radio. Hello all, I'm just trying here to fix the audio output from an old portable record player. It is an unusual one, an american made one going by the name of "Delmonico Nivico". I've attached 3 pictures so everyone can see what I'm on about, btw. This device is powered by batteries (DC 9V). The problem I am having is that there is no life in the audio output section - nothing, not a sound, not a whimper, totally lifeless. From looking inside the device it appears to have only quite a basic audio circuit. The mechanics appear to be fine, btw. Though I am not sure exactly where to start looking this record players' amplifier uses old-style transistors - there is definately no surface mount or ICs. The two circuit boards in the picture are the only ones. I'm wondering could it be the audio transformer or those old transistors that are dead; I can confirm that the speaking is working btw. I have tried injecting audio into the device as best I could, but got no results. Does anyone here know about old audio transistor amplifier designs? Thanks ljones Attached Thumbnails

4th Jun 2009, 6:53 pm	#2
Boom Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 2,451	Re: No audio output from amplifier circuit I'd look very carefully at those rivets on each corner of the circuit boards before getting involved.

4th Jun 2009, 9:02 pm	#3
love kt3 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hifa Israel Posts: 146	Re: No audio output from amplifier circuit it must be too late for me,but where is the tone arm

4th Jun 2009, 9:39 pm	#4
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,864	Re: No audio output from amplifier circuit Good point! Maybe in the lid?

4th Jun 2009, 9:43 pm	#5
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: No audio output from amplifier circuit I was wondering that too. Maybe that's why it does not work. Get some meter readings and we'll take it from there re: the amplifier. Cheers, Steve P. __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

5th Jun 2009, 9:26 am	#6
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: No audio output from amplifier circuit I've not come accross this model, but that amp. looks very simple, 3 transistors and a driver transformer. Not much to go wrong there, possible loss of supply to the amp PCB(switched by the PU Arm, wherever that is?!), open circuit speaker(ulikely,but possible-easily checked with a meter on a low Ohms range), or failure of one or more of the transistors. Check that leaf switch in bottom LH corner of middle picture-it could be the on/off switch operated by moving the PU Arm over the record. Incidentally the 'Nivico' part of the name suggests it was made by what is now JVC in Japan('Nivico' = Nippon Victor Company) It has that typical early 60s Japanese look, too!

5th Jun 2009, 10:15 am	#7
roffe Hexode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Linkoping, Sweden Posts: 493	Re: No audio output from amplifier circuit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfYao...eature=related

5th Jun 2009, 10:39 am	#8
love kt3 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hifa Israel Posts: 146	Re: No audio output from amplifier circuit hi,well now we know where the arm is,but hearing it on u-tube makes me personally prefer it when i didint know..