Rotel RD-865 Won't Play - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

RobustReviews · 16th Jun 2020, 4:09 pm

Hello all,

Just wondered if anybody has any diagnostic advice.

I have a Rotel RD-865 that won't play. The belt is intact and the transport fast-forwards and rewinds (although it's a dual motor system.)

When play is pressed the head carriage moves in to position, the capstan starts for less than a second and the carriage drops down again. The unit then locks up and needs to be powered down and restarted. Until this the transport controls do absolutely nothing.

I would suspect that there's an IC waiting for an input or getting one it doesn't expect. It detects the tape type when a cassette is inserted and I've tried a few different cassettes. It's cosmetically a perfect and a nice unit so I would really like to get it working again.

Anybody come across this before?

Cheers,
RR

DMcMahon · 16th Jun 2020, 7:49 pm

I have no knowledge or experience of this unit. Looks a good model.

When the problem occurs does the tape type indicator stay lit or does it go off/flash ?

David

RobustReviews · 16th Jun 2020, 8:55 pm

Thank you for the reply

It stays lit, so I don't think it's those switches causing it. I've tried metal and chrome tapes with no difference.

Its got to be better than the nasty old early 80s Sharp that's currently in the system!

vidjoman · 17th Jun 2020, 9:07 am

As it has 2 motors I suspect 1 is for the capstan/loading and the other for spooling. If the spool motor isn't starting than the mech may well shut down to stop chewing tape. Clean all switches on the deck. Unused for years they can tarnish and cause various problems.
Have you got a service manual?

Chris55000 · 19th Jun 2020, 4:50 pm

Hi!

Any help?

Chris Williams

16th Jun 2020, 4:09 pm	#1
RobustReviews Pentode Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 120	Rotel RD-865 Won't Play Hello all, Just wondered if anybody has any diagnostic advice. I have a Rotel RD-865 that won't play. The belt is intact and the transport fast-forwards and rewinds (although it's a dual motor system.) When play is pressed the head carriage moves in to position, the capstan starts for less than a second and the carriage drops down again. The unit then locks up and needs to be powered down and restarted. Until this the transport controls do absolutely nothing. I would suspect that there's an IC waiting for an input or getting one it doesn't expect. It detects the tape type when a cassette is inserted and I've tried a few different cassettes. It's cosmetically a perfect and a nice unit so I would really like to get it working again. Anybody come across this before? Cheers, RR

16th Jun 2020, 7:49 pm	#2
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,600	Re: Rotel RD-865 Won't Play I have no knowledge or experience of this unit. Looks a good model. When the problem occurs does the tape type indicator stay lit or does it go off/flash ? David

16th Jun 2020, 8:55 pm	#3
RobustReviews Pentode Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 120	Re: Rotel RD-865 Won't Play Thank you for the reply It stays lit, so I don't think it's those switches causing it. I've tried metal and chrome tapes with no difference. Its got to be better than the nasty old early 80s Sharp that's currently in the system!

17th Jun 2020, 9:07 am	#4
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,326	Re: Rotel RD-865 Won't Play As it has 2 motors I suspect 1 is for the capstan/loading and the other for spooling. If the spool motor isn't starting than the mech may well shut down to stop chewing tape. Clean all switches on the deck. Unused for years they can tarnish and cause various problems. Have you got a service manual?