Rank arena 2000GT with a Lenco B55 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

ChrisChilton · 15th Mar 2023, 1:23 pm

Sound is coming from only one channel (cleanly, other is crackly) when using the built in amplifier and when attempting to bypass it to a separate amp, I then end up with buzzing.

I have tried contact cleaner on the dials and the cartridge to no avail.

Any advice is appreciated.

samjmann · 19th Mar 2023, 10:26 am

Hi. I serviced a few of these years back, the version I saw mostly the RTA-2000. They all suffered with drying out of the small electrolytic caps in the tone network. The caps in question all have a tiny 'sun' logo on them. This was 1980 when they were failing, so what values they've gone to now I can only guess. Replacing these will have a dramatic effect on the sound quality.

These are excellent units, and with the original speakers still sound good, with plenty of range on the tone controls. Nice punchy bass response. These are well worth any time any spent on them. Plus you've got minimalist Scandinavian styling as well!

ChrisChilton · 12th Apr 2023, 12:21 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by samjmann

Hi. I serviced a few of these years back, the version I saw mostly the RTA-2000. They all suffered with drying out of the small electrolytic caps in the tone network. The caps in question all have a tiny 'sun' logo on them. This was 1980 when they were failing, so what values they've gone to now I can only guess. Replacing these will have a dramatic effect on the sound quality.

These are excellent units, and with the original speakers still sound good, with plenty of range on the tone controls. Nice punchy bass response. These are well worth any time any spent on them. Plus you've got minimalist Scandinavian styling as well!

Hi there, I really love how it looks and imagine that it could sound great, I just don’t know where to start and feel like giving in.

peter_sol · 12th Apr 2023, 8:06 am

Does this only crackle on the gram (phono)?

ChrisChilton · 12th Apr 2023, 12:18 pm

The right channel is weak no matter which output you use, phono or radio, built in amp or external amp.

The humming has been partially rectified by moving the powerlead as far away as possible from the din-to-rca that’s going to the external amp.

Edward Huggins · 12th Apr 2023, 1:15 pm

It could be just that the input selector contacts need cleaning. If not, then the DC power rail to that channel may be down. .

yampy187 · 12th Apr 2023, 3:18 pm

Not long ago I overhauled an RTA2000.

Every single small electrolytic capacitor will need to be replaced. They were all either open circuit or wildly off value.

It sounded excellent once it was working correctly. Well worth fixing!

Jan

ChrisChilton · 12th Apr 2023, 5:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by yampy187

Not long ago I overhauled an RTA2000.

Every single small electrolytic capacitor will need to be replaced. They were all either open circuit or wildly off value.

It sounded excellent once it was working correctly. Well worth fixing!

Jan

Great name, Yampy!

Thanks for the advice, any idea on how much that would cost as I fear it’s beyond my expertise.

Edward Huggins · 12th Apr 2023, 5:19 pm

An unknown repairer can be very expensive or even a ripoff. Post on h5re for genuine support under "Services Needed" .

ChrisChilton · 12th Apr 2023, 6:12 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Huggins

An unknown repairer can be very expensive or even a ripoff. Post on h5re for genuine support under "Services Needed" .

Thank you, I appreciate your concern, I was hoping for a ballpark figure.

Edward Huggins · 12th Apr 2023, 8:04 pm

It's almost impossible to give you a Ballpark figure. It's a bit like you taking your car to a garage and asking them to give you a price for fixing it. If you push me, I would say between 50 and 75 pounds from a Member here. If it's an unknown 3rd party - expect more......

ChrisChilton · 12th Apr 2023, 11:04 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Huggins

It's almost impossible to give you a Ballpark figure. It's a bit like you taking your car to a garage and asking them to give you a price for fixing it. If you push me, I would say between 50 and 75 pounds from a Member here. If it's an unknown 3rd party - expect more......

I’ve got a request up for help wanted.

I found a 7” copy of Anarchy in the UK for 50p today, that’s going to get sold towards the repair costs.

15th Mar 2023, 1:23 pm	#1
ChrisChilton Tetrode Join Date: May 2020 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 85	Rank arena 2000GT with a Lenco B55 Sound is coming from only one channel (cleanly, other is crackly) when using the built in amplifier and when attempting to bypass it to a separate amp, I then end up with buzzing. I have tried contact cleaner on the dials and the cartridge to no avail. Any advice is appreciated. Last edited by ChrisChilton; 15th Mar 2023 at 1:24 pm. Reason: Missed a sentence

19th Mar 2023, 10:26 am	#2
samjmann Heptode Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Nottingham, UK. Posts: 649	Re: Rank arena 2000GT with a Lenco B55 Hi. I serviced a few of these years back, the version I saw mostly the RTA-2000. They all suffered with drying out of the small electrolytic caps in the tone network. The caps in question all have a tiny 'sun' logo on them. This was 1980 when they were failing, so what values they've gone to now I can only guess. Replacing these will have a dramatic effect on the sound quality. These are excellent units, and with the original speakers still sound good, with plenty of range on the tone controls. Nice punchy bass response. These are well worth any time any spent on them. Plus you've got minimalist Scandinavian styling as well! __________________ It's never been right since we've had it...

12th Apr 2023, 8:06 am	#4
peter_sol Octode Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,906	Re: Rank arena 2000GT with a Lenco B55 Does this only crackle on the gram (phono)?

12th Apr 2023, 12:18 pm	#5
ChrisChilton Tetrode Join Date: May 2020 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 85	Re: Rank arena 2000GT with a Lenco B55 The right channel is weak no matter which output you use, phono or radio, built in amp or external amp. The humming has been partially rectified by moving the powerlead as far away as possible from the din-to-rca that’s going to the external amp.

12th Apr 2023, 1:15 pm	#6
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,340	Re: Rank arena 2000GT with a Lenco B55 It could be just that the input selector contacts need cleaning. If not, then the DC power rail to that channel may be down. . __________________ Edward.

12th Apr 2023, 3:18 pm	#7
yampy187 Hexode Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coventry, Warwickshire, UK Posts: 374	Re: Rank arena 2000GT with a Lenco B55 Not long ago I overhauled an RTA2000. Every single small electrolytic capacitor will need to be replaced. They were all either open circuit or wildly off value. It sounded excellent once it was working correctly. Well worth fixing! Jan

12th Apr 2023, 5:19 pm	#9
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,340	Re: Rank arena 2000GT with a Lenco B55 An unknown repairer can be very expensive or even a ripoff. Post on h5re for genuine support under "Services Needed" . __________________ Edward.

12th Apr 2023, 8:04 pm	#11
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,340	Re: Rank arena 2000GT with a Lenco B55 It's almost impossible to give you a Ballpark figure. It's a bit like you taking your car to a garage and asking them to give you a price for fixing it. If you push me, I would say between 50 and 75 pounds from a Member here. If it's an unknown 3rd party - expect more...... __________________ Edward.