Radio identification? Identified as a Marconi 571. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Gabe001 · 14th Jul 2021, 9:43 pm

Just wondering if I could pick your brains

I just collected this radio which was being given away foc. Too big she said....

I haven't opened it up yet, and won't be able to get to it imminently, but I was wondering if anyone can identify it. There is nothing on the back cover and Google isn't much help.

It's definitely a Marconi as there is a Marconi logo on the top, and it looks like the 559 but not quite.

I've never worked on a Marconi before

Thanks,
Gabriel

Paul_RK · 14th Jul 2021, 9:58 pm

Could be a 571

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/marconi_571.html -

which is an AC/DC set. I don't know if there's an AC-only model of identical appearance, the 851 would fit the bill

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/marcon...phone_851.html

except it lacks the magic eye. You may well find the model and serial numbers on a little ivorine plate under the cabinet.

Paul

60 oldjohn · 14th Jul 2021, 10:07 pm

Is there a mark on the rear edge of set, bottom board right side of the set ? If no label maybe imprinted into the wood.

John.

Gabe001 · 15th Jul 2021, 5:59 am

Thank you both. It's the 571 AC/DC set with a permanent magnet speaker.

Should be a fun project, the case will need quite a bit of work.

cathoderay57 · 15th Jul 2021, 7:55 am

Hi Gabriel, that should keep you busy for a while. Previously I owned and restored a Marconiphone 851 which is the AC-only version of the same set. Both variants use the same frequency changer, an X63, and I had trouble with stability at the high end of SW but, since you are probably most likely to be using minimod or Bluetooth, that would in any case be a non-issue for you. Like most HMV sets of this series you'll need a hernia belt to lift it! Best of luck, Jerry

Gabe001 · 15th Jul 2021, 9:26 am

Thanks Jerry, yes it will probably get an internal BT module conceptually similar to that described in the Bush DAC90a thread. Having said this, if something is not 100% it will annoy me. Without going into too much detail for now, as I have a couple of things on the to do list before I get to this one, was the stability issue sorted by realignment, new valve or circuit modifications?

Thanks
Gabriel

cathoderay57 · 15th Jul 2021, 2:33 pm

Never totally resolved, except by substituting a 6K8G. Cheers, Jerry.

turretslug · 15th Jul 2021, 2:53 pm

Good luck with that Gabrel, these sets are sturdily made as regards both cabinet and chassis, if a little "mainstream" technically- this set with tuned RF stage and magic eye would have been quite a prestigious purchase at the time. I've what is effectively the AC-only version, the 559, with earlier 4V heater valves.

There must be a fair amount of waste heat from the heater dropper with a 0.3A heater chain, I make the valve string drop as 83.5V plus 3x whatever the dial bulb rating is and presumably explaining the extra ventilation on the back panel!

Colin

Gabe001 · 15th Jul 2021, 3:44 pm

Thanks you both.

I have a spare 6k8g if the worst comes to the worst. I'll post a success story depending on the outcome. I may even try restuffing the capacitors for the first time given the sets age.

In any case thanks for identifying it so quickly and I think this thread can be closed now

PaulR · 19th Jul 2021, 9:18 pm

It probably has some capacitors in a metal can potted in pitch. Sometimes these have been removed in a previous repair but if it is still there the pitch can be removed to enable replacements to be fitted by putting the can in boiling water to soften it. Lots of messy fun to be had!

Gabe001 · 19th Jul 2021, 10:23 pm

Thanks Paul.
If I do I may need to start a new thread and get some help.

14th Jul 2021, 9:43 pm	#1
Gabe001 Octode Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 1,640	Radio identification? Identified as a Marconi 571. Just wondering if I could pick your brains I just collected this radio which was being given away foc. Too big she said.... I haven't opened it up yet, and won't be able to get to it imminently, but I was wondering if anyone can identify it. There is nothing on the back cover and Google isn't much help. It's definitely a Marconi as there is a Marconi logo on the top, and it looks like the 559 but not quite. I've never worked on a Marconi before Thanks, Gabriel Attached Thumbnails

14th Jul 2021, 9:58 pm	#2
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,256	Re: Radio identification Could be a 571 https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/marconi_571.html - which is an AC/DC set. I don't know if there's an AC-only model of identical appearance, the 851 would fit the bill https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/marcon...phone_851.html except it lacks the magic eye. You may well find the model and serial numbers on a little ivorine plate under the cabinet. Paul

14th Jul 2021, 10:07 pm	#3
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,987	Re: Radio identification Is there a mark on the rear edge of set, bottom board right side of the set ? If no label maybe imprinted into the wood. John. __________________ My favourite text message "I'll be there in five minutes, if not read again"

15th Jul 2021, 5:59 am	#4
Gabe001 Octode Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 1,640	Re: Radio identification Thank you both. It's the 571 AC/DC set with a permanent magnet speaker. Should be a fun project, the case will need quite a bit of work.

15th Jul 2021, 7:55 am	#5
cathoderay57 Nonode Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,384	Re: Radio identification Hi Gabriel, that should keep you busy for a while. Previously I owned and restored a Marconiphone 851 which is the AC-only version of the same set. Both variants use the same frequency changer, an X63, and I had trouble with stability at the high end of SW but, since you are probably most likely to be using minimod or Bluetooth, that would in any case be a non-issue for you. Like most HMV sets of this series you'll need a hernia belt to lift it! Best of luck, Jerry

15th Jul 2021, 9:26 am	#6
Gabe001 Octode Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 1,640	Re: Radio identification Thanks Jerry, yes it will probably get an internal BT module conceptually similar to that described in the Bush DAC90a thread. Having said this, if something is not 100% it will annoy me. Without going into too much detail for now, as I have a couple of things on the to do list before I get to this one, was the stability issue sorted by realignment, new valve or circuit modifications? Thanks Gabriel

15th Jul 2021, 2:33 pm	#7
cathoderay57 Nonode Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,384	Re: Radio identification? Identified as a Marconi 571. Never totally resolved, except by substituting a 6K8G. Cheers, Jerry.

15th Jul 2021, 2:53 pm	#8
turretslug Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Surrey, UK. Posts: 4,395	Re: Radio identification? Identified as a Marconi 571. Good luck with that Gabrel, these sets are sturdily made as regards both cabinet and chassis, if a little "mainstream" technically- this set with tuned RF stage and magic eye would have been quite a prestigious purchase at the time. I've what is effectively the AC-only version, the 559, with earlier 4V heater valves. There must be a fair amount of waste heat from the heater dropper with a 0.3A heater chain, I make the valve string drop as 83.5V plus 3x whatever the dial bulb rating is and presumably explaining the extra ventilation on the back panel! Colin

15th Jul 2021, 3:44 pm	#9
Gabe001 Octode Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 1,640	Re: Radio identification? Identified as a Marconi 571. Thanks you both. I have a spare 6k8g if the worst comes to the worst. I'll post a success story depending on the outcome. I may even try restuffing the capacitors for the first time given the sets age. In any case thanks for identifying it so quickly and I think this thread can be closed now

19th Jul 2021, 9:18 pm	#10
PaulR Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southport Lancashire, UK. Posts: 3,233	Re: Radio identification? Identified as a Marconi 571. It probably has some capacitors in a metal can potted in pitch. Sometimes these have been removed in a previous repair but if it is still there the pitch can be removed to enable replacements to be fitted by putting the can in boiling water to soften it. Lots of messy fun to be had! __________________ Paul

19th Jul 2021, 10:23 pm	#11
Gabe001 Octode Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 1,640	Re: Radio identification? Identified as a Marconi 571. Thanks Paul. If I do I may need to start a new thread and get some help.