Portadyne Record Player ID required. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

andyhunterart · 14th Nov 2013, 10:36 pm

I have just got a Portadyne record player (as shown) and am unable to identify the year and model of this player. It has a BSR deck. I have done a search but cannot find this model anywhere including the web.

Any input to my mystery much appreciated

Fidelity Fan · 15th Nov 2013, 7:19 pm

The BSR deck is a model UA8 which would be from the late 1950s. Have you looked to see what valve types are used in the player?

Nickthedentist · 15th Nov 2013, 7:54 pm

Hi Andy and welcome,

Very attractive machine and in good condition too.

As Fidelity Fan says, we need to know what valves it uses to help you further.

Nick.

Herald1360 · 15th Nov 2013, 9:10 pm

You could see if there's any date on the smoothing can- the set can't be earlier than that!

andyhunterart · 22nd Nov 2013, 10:01 pm

Thank you everyone.

I will check all the above and report back.

Thanks for the welcome too from Nickthedentist.

clksteve · 23rd Jan 2016, 2:34 pm

I have just acquired the same model from a garage clear out. It seems cosmetically nice and mechanically perfect as far as loading and playing and returning, which is a surprise. No sound though, I would assume down to that little brown TC8M cartridge I've had dealings with before. The modern stereo replacement cartridges sold on ebay didn't sound very good in my opinion. I'll look out for a working original, if I'm lucky enough to find one.

Edward Huggins · 23rd Jan 2016, 6:14 pm

Modern stereo cartridges should sound fine in this, but they may not play as loud as the BSR TC8M. The record player was made in 1957 or early 1958. It should have a 6.5" round speaker. The amplifier will have at least 2 stages and based on con-current Portadynes, may use an ECL82 with a 6X4/EZ90 rectifier. The best cartridge to fit to this is a Mono BSR X5M stereo-compatible, still available (I hope) from Musonic. Edward

14th Nov 2013, 10:36 pm	#1
andyhunterart Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Wells, Somerset, UK. Posts: 4	Portadyne Record Player ID required. I have just got a Portadyne record player (as shown) and am unable to identify the year and model of this player. It has a BSR deck. I have done a search but cannot find this model anywhere including the web. Any input to my mystery much appreciated Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Station X; 15th Nov 2013 at 8:13 am. Reason: New thread started. Readability

15th Nov 2013, 7:19 pm	#2
Fidelity Fan Hexode Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Wigan, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 372	Re: Portadyne Record Player ID required. The BSR deck is a model UA8 which would be from the late 1950s. Have you looked to see what valve types are used in the player?

15th Nov 2013, 7:54 pm	#3
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,854	Re: Portadyne Record Player ID required. Hi Andy and welcome, Very attractive machine and in good condition too. As Fidelity Fan says, we need to know what valves it uses to help you further. Nick.

15th Nov 2013, 9:10 pm	#4
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Portadyne Record Player ID required. You could see if there's any date on the smoothing can- the set can't be earlier than that! __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

22nd Nov 2013, 10:01 pm	#5
andyhunterart Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Wells, Somerset, UK. Posts: 4	Re: Portadyne Record Player ID required. Thank you everyone. I will check all the above and report back. Thanks for the welcome too from Nickthedentist.

23rd Jan 2016, 2:34 pm	#6
clksteve Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 40	Re: Portadyne Record Player ID required. I have just acquired the same model from a garage clear out. It seems cosmetically nice and mechanically perfect as far as loading and playing and returning, which is a surprise. No sound though, I would assume down to that little brown TC8M cartridge I've had dealings with before. The modern stereo replacement cartridges sold on ebay didn't sound very good in my opinion. I'll look out for a working original, if I'm lucky enough to find one.

23rd Jan 2016, 6:14 pm	#7
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,335	Re: Portadyne Record Player ID required. Modern stereo cartridges should sound fine in this, but they may not play as loud as the BSR TC8M. The record player was made in 1957 or early 1958. It should have a 6.5" round speaker. The amplifier will have at least 2 stages and based on con-current Portadynes, may use an ECL82 with a 6X4/EZ90 rectifier. The best cartridge to fit to this is a Mono BSR X5M stereo-compatible, still available (I hope) from Musonic. Edward