1961 Zenith Y931 Console Turntable Help Needle & Cartridge

[delliott101]

Anyone familiar with this stereo???

Picked this up last week and got a new needle for it. The needle is a "T" shape and the stem of the "T" goes up through the cartridge and terminates into a selector (LP/78) knob that fits onto it. There is a spring, too.

The cartridge part was flopping, so I set it into place. Problem is that the needle sits up too high and does not touch the record. Also, the arm skates straight across the record (fortunately it is an old "test" record).

I am following all the directions for replacing the needle. I get sound out of the speakers if I touch the arm, but hear nothing if I stroke the needle. Not sure what the replacement cartridge (or stylus or what it's called) is, either.

 

[gadget73]

Can you post some pics of the record player and the cartridge end of the arm? Something makes me suspect it isn't installed right, or maybe its broken.

 

[orthophonic]

If it s a "Y" it is a 1968 model, not 1961.

It should use an 896 stylus, you will see something like 896 ds77 or 896 ds73, the first
being both diamond and sapphire .07 lp styli and the second diamond .07 LP and .03
sapphire for 78 rpm.

The cartridge is supposed to flop, it is a floating cartridge. sounds like you mounted it wrong. It is hinged at the rear and should retract slightly when placed on the record.

 

[delliott101]

If it s a "Y" it is a 1968 model, not 1961.

It should use an 896 stylus, you will see something like 896 ds77 or 896 ds73, the first
being both diamond and sapphire .07 lp styli and the second diamond .07 LP and .03
sapphire for 78 rpm.

The cartridge is supposed to flop, it is a floating cartridge. sounds like you mounted it wrong. It is hinged at the rear and should retract slightly when placed on the record.

The cartridge says "163" on the top... There is a schematic in the cabinet that is dated 1961, so that's what I was going by. It was already in there and was flopping around. I purchased a needle 897-DS73, so I think I ordered the wrong thing. It fits, but the whole needle rubs on the record (it's flat and not angled in any way).

Thanks!

 

[delliott101]

Oh, I just looked up the 896 ds77 on Ebay and it looks exactly the same (to me) as what I got... the 897 ds 73. I'm confused.

 

[orthophonic]

Post a Picture.

 

[orthophonic]

897 should be correct, I misspoke before on 896, it is for the pre '66 models, senior
memory fade i guess.
Post a picture, something is not installed correctly or the model number is not right.

163 was a Zenith part number.

 

[delliott101]

897 should be correct, I misspoke before on 896, it is for the pre '66 models, senior
memory fade i guess.
Post a picture, something is not installed correctly or the model number is not right.

163 was a Zenith part number.

Are you kidding me? I returned the 897 and ordered an 896. The 897 post was very long and slid on the record.

I have photos of the cartridge but not sure how to load them here...

 

[delliott101]

I think I figured how to attach the pics

 

[mibag6]

You're missing some parts. At the very least, there is an actuator that goes through the big hole on top of the cartridge. This allows you to select LP or 78 needles. You can see the red disc with the arrow in the photo

 

[delliott101]

You're missing some parts. At the very least, there is an actuator that goes through the big hole on top of the cartridge. This allows you to select LP or 78 needles. You can see the red disc with the arrow in the photo

I have that piece... it attaches to the stem on the needle. I took the needle out to return to the place I purchased it from and am awaiting the new (now incorrect) needle.

I do not know if getting the correct needle in place will prevent the arm form trailing all the way to the center of the turntable. The needle I had (and returned) did not fit right and the dual needle end of it just rested on the record. I ASSUME I have to pop the cartridge into place (although I think it was already)

I am posting a photo of the turntable/top of console

 

[orthophonic]

That is a 1968 model.

The cartridge is damaged, it is missing the rubber fork or yoke that holds the cantelever of the stylus in place, that is why your stylus rested on the record.

The cartridge will need to be replaced, some of the after market replacements
are poor quality and require more tracking force than the originals.

 

[orthophonic]

The cartridge you need is a 142-163 or 142-166, they are the same.

There is a Zenith branded (not aftermarket) 142-166 on the bay right now and it is cheaper than the some of aftermarkets being offered.

 

[delliott101]

Thanks!

 

[delliott101]

Got the new cartridge... now I have to figure out how to install the little bitty wires...