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Vintage Audio (record players, hi-fi etc) Amplifiers, speakers, gramophones and other audio equipment. |
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20th Jan 2021, 12:12 pm | #1 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: North Wales, UK.
Posts: 6,925
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Anyone recognise this radiogram? (Identified as Decca SRG717)
I've been sent these pictures to see if it can be got going again and I don't recognise it, though the cartridge is a Sonotone 19-T1. I'm sure you'll put me right - what's lurking in the huge cabinet?
Last edited by Cobaltblue; 21st Jan 2021 at 3:43 pm. Reason: Added ID |
20th Jan 2021, 12:25 pm | #2 |
Octode
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Llandeilo, West Wales, UK.
Posts: 1,092
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Re: Anyone recognise this radiogram?
Decca 717 Radiogram (like it says on the tin ;-)
So likely 'tin whiskers' in it...
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Never Leave Well Enough Alone... |
20th Jan 2021, 12:32 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 6,604
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Re: Anyone recognise this radiogram?
There are service sheets for it available from the Forum downloads.
David |
20th Jan 2021, 2:33 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: North Wales, UK.
Posts: 6,925
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Re: Anyone recognise this radiogram?
Should have had a closer look!
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20th Jan 2021, 2:38 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,861
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Re: Anyone recognise this radiogram?
Yes, well done. SRG717 to give it its full model number.
A nothing special machine from late 1966, all solid-state, plenty of dodgy AF-series transistors to zap and replace. 90 Guineas new, but apparently bottom of the range. Deck is a weird one, listed as a Decca Autochanger D590500, but actually a Balfour Princess. Cartridge is probably dead... So, it's doable but unlikely to be easy or fun! N. Last edited by Nickthedentist; 20th Jan 2021 at 2:47 pm. |
20th Jan 2021, 2:45 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,336
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Re: Anyone recognise this radiogram?
And a dreadful autochanger to fix. The Sonotone cartridge in it is not the correct one for the tone-arm, let alone half-decent stereo. Good luck !
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Edward. |
20th Jan 2021, 2:53 pm | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,861
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Re: Anyone recognise this radiogram?
Yes it looks all wrong, and very primitve for the date, but the data says the original cartridge is indeed "Sonotone 19T".
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20th Jan 2021, 5:33 pm | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 3,763
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Re: Anyone recognise this radiogram?
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21st Jan 2021, 12:11 pm | #9 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: North Wales, UK.
Posts: 6,925
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Re: Anyone recognise this radiogram?
Looking at the general state of the 'gram - and its size! - I'm rather reluctant to get involved with this one. I might just have a quick look though....
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21st Jan 2021, 12:28 pm | #10 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,861
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Re: Anyone recognise this radiogram?
Yes, no point in writing it off without a glance first, assuming it's local.
The chassis and turntable could easily be removed to your workshop, leaving the cabinet and speakers where they are. If the radio/amp work, then I suppose you're halfway there, and could even drop-in a more trusty autochanger. If not, then probably best to run, unless you like battling with unreliable 1960s transistors. The cabinet looks sad, but may well be fine after hoovering/cleaning/teak oiling. Nick. |
21st Jan 2021, 1:38 pm | #11 |
Octode
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Stevenage, Herts. UK.
Posts: 1,518
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Re: Anyone recognise this radiogram?
There's been a few Balfours on here lately. What's the history of the company, was it set up by a disgruntled BSR/Garrard employee?
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21st Jan 2021, 3:34 pm | #12 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK.
Posts: 8,336
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Re: Anyone recognise this radiogram?
Quote:
It just looks SO wrong in that tone-arm, especially as it's an early low-compliance, turnover (not flipunder) type..... .....
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Edward. |
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21st Jan 2021, 3:49 pm | #13 | |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,966
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Re: Anyone recognise this radiogram?
Quote:
If the output transistors aren't knackered and the deck basically works, you could get it working reasonably easily for little money - just replace all the AF11xs with 2N3906s and fit a cheapo Chinese cartridge, apply a squirt of 3-in-1 or Servisol here and there.... Whether it's worth bothering about is a different question though. |
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22nd Jan 2021, 11:55 am | #14 |
Octode
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Stevenage, Herts. UK.
Posts: 1,518
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Re: Anyone recognise this radiogram? (Identified as Decca SRG717)
To answer my own question Balfour Electronics were based in Dagenham so much more likely to be a Collaro connection. Maybe someone was unhapy after the Magnavox takeover and left to do their own thing?
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