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Old 25th Oct 2020, 12:08 pm   #1
SoodyK1
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Default ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

Hello people,

As a 60 year old, I have just crept into the world of vintage hifi and tinkering. Slowly finding my feet so bear with me. Was after something that played 78s and have got my hands on a ITT KA1026. Seems to work OK in that it starts and stops. However, it doesn't have a stylus and I can't spot the cartridge model number anywhere. I think the turntable is a BSR C123R and may be fitted with a BSR SX6M cartridge, mentioned on the radio museum website. Does anyone have a copy of the user guide and can confirm that an ST12 stylus should work. Looks like I need DIN connectors to attach speakers and also has a phonoplug socket which I think allows connection to a normal amp.

TIA

Soody
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Old 25th Oct 2020, 12:43 pm   #2
Edward Huggins
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

If it is a BSR SX6M then a ST12 stylus will be just fine. You can order this is 2 versions: LPS/78 or LPS/LPS (LPS = Long Playing Stereo).
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Old 25th Oct 2020, 4:53 pm   #3
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

Here is the spec from the service manual.
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http://www.kbmuseum.org.uk/itt_servi...KA1026_ITT.pdf

But it might be worth checking that the cartridge has not been changed for another model.
I am sure someone on here would recognise it from a photo of the underside of the pickup arm

Mike
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Old 26th Oct 2020, 10:32 am   #4
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Default

Hi Edward,

Thanks for the information.

Here's a couple of shots of the cartridge.

Soody
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Old 26th Oct 2020, 1:05 pm   #5
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

Sorry, meant to thank you as well Crackle!
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Old 26th Oct 2020, 1:58 pm   #6
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

Before you purchase a new stylus, have you tried VERY gently stroking the plastic vee which the stylus shank sits in to check that the cartridge is alive and well on both channels?
Regards
John.
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Old 26th Oct 2020, 4:02 pm   #7
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

it does look like a BSR SX6M, but it would be a good idea to do the check that John suggested before buying the stylus.
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Old 26th Oct 2020, 4:06 pm   #8
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

The styli you can use in that cartridge are:

ST12, ST14 - dual tip, one for 78s one for vinyl.
ST15- dual tips for vinyl.
ST19 - single tip for vinyl.

It depends if you have 78s or not!
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Old 26th Oct 2020, 6:15 pm   #9
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

Hi John,

Thanks for the suggestion. I have been able to connect up a speaker via the DIN connection and on stroking the v-shaped component of the cartridge I do get a crackling sound out of the speaker, so it appears that the cartridge is OK. Next step is to order up the right stylus. Will order up the ST12 78/LP version as suggested by Edward/Ben, as it is primarily for playing 78s.

Cheers

Soody
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Old 26th Oct 2020, 6:36 pm   #10
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

No a good idea to connect just one speaker - best to always use with two. Also you can check that both channels are working from the cartridge.
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Old 29th Oct 2020, 7:41 pm   #11
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

Hi Edward, should have added that I did switch the one speaker between sockets to check both channels were working, but thanks for confirming I was doing it correctly. Just waiting for the stylus to turn up.
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Old 30th Oct 2020, 5:04 pm   #12
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

OK I see what you mean, but when using this, always be sure to have 2 matching speakers connected!
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Old 31st Oct 2020, 10:54 am   #13
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

Stylus has turned up, fitted and playing as hoped for.

Seems to be 2 other issues that I need to resolve.

1. On/off button turns the unit on when depressed, but when I try and depress again to turn it off, have to press it a few times in a sort of quick tapping action to get it to work

2. Less of an issue, but something it would be nice to resolve is the Auto function isn't working. The link takes you to a video showing it in action (or not in this case!).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohbp...ature=youtu.be

Let me know if I should be starting a separate thread to address these problems.
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Old 31st Oct 2020, 11:18 am   #14
Edward Huggins
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

You are not using the BSR Autochanger correctly! It's probably in PWO.
You must stack the record first and then move the slider to play.
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Old 1st Nov 2020, 3:55 am   #15
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

Is it not a bit risky stacking 78s on an autochanger? If the stacking lever is lifted up then swung to the right this will enable it to work automatically, although it will repeat playing unless the lever is moved back to the centre.

From the video, the turntable appears to be working as it should.
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Old 1st Nov 2020, 7:39 am   #16
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

just had one off these turn up very dirty but working the 3 switches on this one were alo a little iffy but i think there binding against each other when pressed , a good dose of WD40 over the switch caps seems to have sorted it
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Old 1st Nov 2020, 8:41 am   #17
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

Edward is correct, when there are no records stacked on the arm the player thinks it has finished playing. if there was a record at the top of the stacking spindle and the arm was resting on it the auto play should work.
If you lift the stacking arm and move it to the right then the player should play the same record continuously..
If the player has not been serviced recently it is likely to grind to a slow crawl or stop, as the auto play system tries to move the arm across the record.
Remember this player is 44 years old and deserves a good service.
Also I am not sure if 78's have the ridges near the centre to help them to play on a stacking system. If the ridges are missing then any record placed on top of another already on the turntable may tend to slip.

Mike

Last edited by crackle; 1st Nov 2020 at 8:49 am.
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Old 1st Nov 2020, 10:27 am   #18
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

I must be getting realy old as I always tend to assume that everyone will know how to use an Autochanger! As regards to 78s not having run out grooves, this usually will only apply to pre-1930s pressings.
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Old 1st Nov 2020, 11:37 am   #19
SoodyK1
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

Edward & Crackle, I have just passed the big 60 and only have vague memories of using an autochanger from my teenage years! My father had some big old lump of a Russian music centre. So thanks to your suggestions, I moved the arm to the right and hey presto it worked. I then resorted to sticking an old Shaking Stevens single on the spindle with the arm back in the centre and an extra big smile appeared as the single dropped onto the mat and it played as hoped for

Now the one remaining issue is the on/off switch. I can try a squirt of WD40 but I do have some Deoxit too.

Soody
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Old 1st Nov 2020, 11:38 am   #20
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Default Re: ITT KA1026 - Background info wanted

Edward, excuse my ignorance, but what's PWO?
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