Advice sought for Stereo record player - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Growlerman · 30th Aug 2018, 5:48 pm

To cut a long story short my wife has created a vintage room using furniture from the 1970's so I'm now after what Fidelity used to call unit audio stereo record player. I have bad memories of the UA4/6/10 so Fidelity is out. On a quick search I found record players from Ferguson, ITT, Decca and Philips GF832 series. Are there any teak/wood effect cased unit audio record players that were a bit better than the average? I'm NOT after hifi or a large music centre as this wouldn't be in keeping.

hope this makes sense

Edward Huggins · 30th Aug 2018, 5:57 pm

Yes, there's a lovely Hacker teak cased, high quality, audio unit going for a song now online. And also Dynatron, where there's another teak cased one right now on auction.

Studio263 · 30th Aug 2018, 5:59 pm

The B&O Beogram 1500 was probably the best one of this type:

https://beocentral.com/beogram1500recordplayer

There are loads about so don't pay too much.

Ambientnoise · 30th Aug 2018, 6:00 pm

Maybe not exactly what you mean but I have a Hacker Centurion with a pair of Linton 2 speakers, all teak veneered and now gwo. Sounds good, I would say better than average for this type of unit, not top hi-fi though. I think it dates from early 70s.

Ken

Heatercathodeshort · 30th Aug 2018, 6:11 pm

Decca produced a very nice middle of the road unit. It may have been called a 'Compact Three'. John.

Radio Wrangler · 30th Aug 2018, 6:14 pm

You can also stay in the early 70's era with a Pioneer PL12D, a Trio amp (KA3700?) and a pair of Wharfedale Lintons. These were big selling items in the period and ought to sound a bit better than any period music centre. Or for an all in one, the Sony HP511 isn't too bad. A few people on here have them.

David

SiriusHardware · 30th Aug 2018, 6:59 pm

Shame you didn't reserve a spot for a 1970s teak-finish radiogram as apparently you can barely give these away nowadays. They were the quintessential 70s audio / furniture combo. Speakers built in, so you don't need to find a home for separate speakers.

Growlerman · 30th Aug 2018, 7:01 pm

Thank you for the suggestions. A separates system is unfortunately out due to space available. The Decca and B&O sounds like the sort of thing. Funnily enough I have acquired a pair of Decca wooden(Teak?)speakers that fit in well with the furniture in the room.
How good were ITT audio? I have seen a 1040 record player and the wife approves

;

GrimJosef · 30th Aug 2018, 8:06 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio Wrangler

You can also stay in the early 70's era with a Pioneer PL12D ...

They were a perfectly decent deck, and people have woken up to that, so they no longer sell for their scrap metal value I'm afraid.

Cheers,

GJ

Edward Huggins · 30th Aug 2018, 8:13 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiriusHardware

Shame you didn't reserve a spot for a 1970s teak-finish radiogram as apparently you can barely give these away nowadays.

Five years ago you would have been quite right, but I think you might be quite amazed at the prices these are being listed at these days on the auction sites...

paulsherwin · 30th Aug 2018, 8:21 pm

The big Japanese makers made some very decent unit audio systems in the 70s.

Sony made some nice compact separates: http://www.thevintageknob.org/SONY/s.../TASTSS70.html

AC/HL · 30th Aug 2018, 8:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Growlerman

I have seen a 1040 record player and the wife approves

I suspect Mike would too!

jamesperrett · 30th Aug 2018, 10:24 pm

Maybe think about something from Dynatron? I've had a few units of theirs from that era and they sound good. I still have an HFC101 with the Lenco GL75 record deck but the smaller Mazurka (with an SP25 deck) would fit the bill if compact size is important.

Growlerman · 31st Aug 2018, 3:16 am

Thank you all for your suggestions. The Dynatron mazurka, Beogram 1500 and Decca sound (no pun intended) to be the sort of thing I’m looking for. Space is the issue and the unit must have wife appeal!

Radio Wrangler · 31st Aug 2018, 6:59 am

A word of caution about Bang and Olufsen record players...

On many of them the stylus is not replaceable, the entire cartridge got replaced instead. Cartridges haven't been made for a long time and demand has pushed the prices up dramatically. There are some companies rebuilding cartridges with new diamond tips. When I last checked, the price of re-tipping the cartridge for my B&O 4000 turntable was over £400

B&O record turntables are very good, sound good, and some of them are works of art*, but before buying one, check the price of replacing a worn stylus for that specific model.

For playing records, something with a cartridge that mounts with the standard 1/2 inch spaced screws gives you the widest options.

David

* there are B&O 4000s in the collections of both the Louvre in Paris and of the Museum of Modern Art!

Ted Kendall · 31st Aug 2018, 7:37 am

B&O cartridges prior to the SP15 fitted to the 4000 turntable have replaceable stylus assemblies, but even these are in sluggish supply. Half inch mounts are probably the way to go.

Growlerman · 31st Aug 2018, 8:45 am

Ted/ Dave

Thank you for this information, this will have a big bearing on what I purchased as any record player I buy will only be used to play worn copies of records. I have a high quality audio system set up in another room with my decent records.
The record players that first took my interest were the likes of the ITT 1040 and similar styled BRC units in a teak cabinet but I'm open to any suggestions for a compact stereo record playing unit ideally from the 1970s to fit in with the room.

rontech · 31st Aug 2018, 10:11 am

I use an old minidisc player Sony MDS JE 520 for playing compilations of various record tracks ( some some of old 78's ) through my main hifi system. ) The players are very convenient in use I find. If you wished to hear your good lps through the retro system, a minidisc player could maybe be concealed somewhere in the retro cabinet. The remote for these players seems to work almost anywhere in the room if pointed in the general direction of the unit. I have two players, one my own and a second on permanent "loan" from a friend. They are also available on ebay etc at low cost.

ben · 31st Aug 2018, 11:00 am

Of all the wooden self contained stereo record players I like the Nocturne 73 (Wye I think). Real wood! Garrard 2025TC with Sonotone 3509. Also has a DIN in/out should you need it. Sound is very good indeed. It even has a '70s name

I would advise against a Beogram 1500. They sound fantastic when working - I had one - but hideously expensive styli, and by now the motor will be gummy and need a lot of work to revive it.

Edward Huggins · 31st Aug 2018, 11:00 am

As regards your hankering for an ITT 1040, this is really basic, 2 chip, budget player.
All the many and varied suggestions already offered to you so far by Members, will have a far better performance than this. Be aware, there is now a Dynatron "Marzuka" currently on an auction site as well.

30th Aug 2018, 5:48 pm	#1
Growlerman Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northwich, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 313	Advice sought for Stereo record player To cut a long story short my wife has created a vintage room using furniture from the 1970's so I'm now after what Fidelity used to call unit audio stereo record player. I have bad memories of the UA4/6/10 so Fidelity is out. On a quick search I found record players from Ferguson, ITT, Decca and Philips GF832 series. Are there any teak/wood effect cased unit audio record players that were a bit better than the average? I'm NOT after hifi or a large music centre as this wouldn't be in keeping. hope this makes sense

30th Aug 2018, 5:57 pm	#2
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,335	Re: Advice sought for Stereo record player Yes, there's a lovely Hacker teak cased, high quality, audio unit going for a song now online. And also Dynatron, where there's another teak cased one right now on auction. __________________ Edward.

30th Aug 2018, 5:59 pm	#3
Studio263 Octode Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hampshire, UK. Posts: 1,577	Re: Advice sought for Stereo record player The B&O Beogram 1500 was probably the best one of this type: https://beocentral.com/beogram1500recordplayer There are loads about so don't pay too much.

30th Aug 2018, 6:00 pm	#4
Ambientnoise Heptode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 917	Re: Advice sought for Stereo record player Maybe not exactly what you mean but I have a Hacker Centurion with a pair of Linton 2 speakers, all teak veneered and now gwo. Sounds good, I would say better than average for this type of unit, not top hi-fi though. I think it dates from early 70s. Ken

30th Aug 2018, 6:11 pm	#5
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Advice sought for Stereo record player Decca produced a very nice middle of the road unit. It may have been called a 'Compact Three'. John.

30th Aug 2018, 6:14 pm	#6
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,899	Re: Advice sought for Stereo record player You can also stay in the early 70's era with a Pioneer PL12D, a Trio amp (KA3700?) and a pair of Wharfedale Lintons. These were big selling items in the period and ought to sound a bit better than any period music centre. Or for an all in one, the Sony HP511 isn't too bad. A few people on here have them. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

30th Aug 2018, 6:59 pm	#7
SiriusHardware Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 11,570	Re: Advice sought for Stereo record player Shame you didn't reserve a spot for a 1970s teak-finish radiogram as apparently you can barely give these away nowadays. They were the quintessential 70s audio / furniture combo. Speakers built in, so you don't need to find a home for separate speakers.

30th Aug 2018, 7:01 pm	#8
Growlerman Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northwich, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 313	Re: Advice sought for Stereo record player Thank you for the suggestions. A separates system is unfortunately out due to space available. The Decca and B&O sounds like the sort of thing. Funnily enough I have acquired a pair of Decca wooden(Teak?)speakers that fit in well with the furniture in the room. How good were ITT audio? I have seen a 1040 record player and the wife approves;

30th Aug 2018, 8:21 pm	#11
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,960	Re: Advice sought for Stereo record player The big Japanese makers made some very decent unit audio systems in the 70s. Sony made some nice compact separates: http://www.thevintageknob.org/SONY/s.../TASTSS70.html

30th Aug 2018, 10:24 pm	#13
jamesperrett Octode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Liss, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 1,875	Re: Advice sought for Stereo record player Maybe think about something from Dynatron? I've had a few units of theirs from that era and they sound good. I still have an HFC101 with the Lenco GL75 record deck but the smaller Mazurka (with an SP25 deck) would fit the bill if compact size is important.

31st Aug 2018, 3:16 am	#14
Growlerman Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northwich, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 313	Re: Advice sought for Stereo record player Thank you all for your suggestions. The Dynatron mazurka, Beogram 1500 and Decca sound (no pun intended) to be the sort of thing I’m looking for. Space is the issue and the unit must have wife appeal!

31st Aug 2018, 6:59 am	#15
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,899	Re: Advice sought for Stereo record player A word of caution about Bang and Olufsen record players... On many of them the stylus is not replaceable, the entire cartridge got replaced instead. Cartridges haven't been made for a long time and demand has pushed the prices up dramatically. There are some companies rebuilding cartridges with new diamond tips. When I last checked, the price of re-tipping the cartridge for my B&O 4000 turntable was over £400 B&O record turntables are very good, sound good, and some of them are works of art, but before buying one, check the price of replacing a worn stylus for that specific model. For playing records, something with a cartridge that mounts with the standard 1/2 inch spaced screws gives you the widest options. David there are B&O 4000s in the collections of both the Louvre in Paris and of the Museum of Modern Art! __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

31st Aug 2018, 7:37 am	#16
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,675	Re: Advice sought for Stereo record player B&O cartridges prior to the SP15 fitted to the 4000 turntable have replaceable stylus assemblies, but even these are in sluggish supply. Half inch mounts are probably the way to go.

31st Aug 2018, 8:45 am	#17
Growlerman Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northwich, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 313	Re: Advice sought for Stereo record player Ted/ Dave Thank you for this information, this will have a big bearing on what I purchased as any record player I buy will only be used to play worn copies of records. I have a high quality audio system set up in another room with my decent records. The record players that first took my interest were the likes of the ITT 1040 and similar styled BRC units in a teak cabinet but I'm open to any suggestions for a compact stereo record playing unit ideally from the 1970s to fit in with the room.

31st Aug 2018, 10:11 am	#18
rontech Heptode Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Southport, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 646	Re: Advice sought for Stereo record player I use an old minidisc player Sony MDS JE 520 for playing compilations of various record tracks ( some some of old 78's ) through my main hifi system. ) The players are very convenient in use I find. If you wished to hear your good lps through the retro system, a minidisc player could maybe be concealed somewhere in the retro cabinet. The remote for these players seems to work almost anywhere in the room if pointed in the general direction of the unit. I have two players, one my own and a second on permanent "loan" from a friend. They are also available on ebay etc at low cost.

31st Aug 2018, 11:00 am	#19
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Advice sought for Stereo record player Of all the wooden self contained stereo record players I like the Nocturne 73 (Wye I think). Real wood! Garrard 2025TC with Sonotone 3509. Also has a DIN in/out should you need it. Sound is very good indeed. It even has a '70s name I would advise against a Beogram 1500. They sound fantastic when working - I had one - but hideously expensive styli, and by now the motor will be gummy and need a lot of work to revive it. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Regards, Ben.