61' RCA RC-171F Restore/Rebuild

[gadget73]

If the resistors measure in value you can leave them be. If you want to change them, carbon film or metal film will do fine. Both will be quieter than the original types.

Caps are your call. I use the boring yellow jobs like Illinois MPW but Mallory 150's are also perfectly fine. Vishay/Sprague 715p or 716p get mentioned a lot. Those are the "orange drops" you may have heard of. Nichicon and others make a film that looks kind of like a chicklet. Don't know the series but they also work fine.

 

[Dswankey]

OK. I guess my location is confusing. We moved from California to Birmingham, AL. (May be moving back). I forgot to add the state.

My bad, there was someone who joined from Birmingham, England a few weeks ago I assumed it was you plus I was wondering how an RCA console wound up over there.

 

[RICK KING]

Hi
To make sure I am on the right track, would this work to replace C40? [.047/400V]
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/nichicon/QXK2G473KTPTZH/2118518?s=N4IgTCBcDaICwE4DMBaJBWA7GFA5AIiALoC+QA

Also, the replacement resistors seem a lot smaller. Does it matter? I do understand the markings and have no issue with them.

Rick

 

[gadget73]

that cap will work fine.

I usually shop resistors by larger physical size just because the teeny ones look stupid. Also the smaller ones have lower voltage ratings.

 

[RICK KING]

The amp will go back in the console hidden. As long as it sounds OK. This will just be a functioning show piece. I do want to get a chassis for a real upgrade and show like @cademan did. Next though, I want to go through the Sherwood S-2100 and S-9500. I also need to finish my Pioneer SA-9500. I am currently using a Pioneer SX-626, but they all sound good through the 76' Klipsch Cornwall's.

WIRING? What gauge and type of wiring? I would use cloth wrap if it could be seen. The current wiring does not look bad though.

Rick

 

[Dswankey]

.... I do want to get a chassis for a real upgrade and show like @cademan did.

Keep your eye open for a Magnavox, they are very well thought of and very well documented here at AK.

They can look really nice after a restoration and a Mod. One of the allures of these is that there is not much going on under the chassis thus easy access.

A little something to think about if you do go this direction (Shameless bragging)

 

[RICK KING]

Shameless bragging

Not at all. Very nice. Yes, I have heard to be on the lookout for these. I do a daily check around some local ads, but maybe need to go junkin'! Seems like everyone knows they are a hot item and want a lot for a broken one. I thought about custom fabricating one. I really need to restore what I have for now though.

 

[RICK KING]

I have a mind to slip something that plays into the console, sit it for a piece of furniture; then take the amp and customize it. I don't plan on selling either and you can't take it with you in the end. Enjoy now.

 

[RICK KING]

While waiting on parts I cleaned it a bit.

 

[Dswankey]

Are the tubes the original RCA's

 

[RICK KING]

Are the tubes the original RCA's

Hi @Dswankey,

Yes. Don't know if they are all good.

A friend said he had some RCA tubes that were good, but didn't know what they were. He fell off a roof, went to the hospital (now home) and in no position to get them.

 

[Dswankey]

I'm willing to bet they are still good, I doubt that console was ever driven too hard.

 

[gadget73]

dud coupling caps are usually the only reason console amp tubes are shot. That and just being left on for years. They are usually not run very hard so it takes a lot of use or abuse to wear them out.

 

[tonyg88]

My magnavox had open transformers like your amp.... My first post was are these transformers okay? As I was used to seeing potted transformers... Turns out they were more than okay

 

[RICK KING]

Turns out they were more than okay

Hi @tonyg88

Nice to have a place like AK to get feedback on audio repair/restore projects and not try to work alone in a vacuum (pun intended). The input I am getting here in the AK community is invaluable. I'm getting help on repairing my Pioneer SA-9500 in another post and I couldn't have done it without them. Pooling ideas and suggestions is awesome.

Cheers!
Rick

 

[cademan]

Just curious..........what is your progress? Have you checked for any sound yet?

 

[RICK KING]

Hi,

not much progress due to some house work.

Because of the 3-pin I was initially thinking of rigging some RCA jacks. For now what I may do is use alligator clips hooked to the unit to a 3.5 jack to my phone for input and output to some cheap speakers I have. What do you think?

 

[cademan]

That will work.

 

[RICK KING]

OK. Had a few minutes and rigged it up. Same thumping sound that occurred when I tested in the console. All of the tubes glow what I think are supposed to be normal. I unplugged it. All of the resistors I tested were OK. I discharged the capacitors and tried to check them with a MM set to ohms to see if they received charging through the battery of the meter. Most did not move past 0.0. Some bounced around. Not sure what all that means. I ordered new capacitors through Digi-Key Thursday that should match if for nothing else but testing.

 

[cademan]

Does it make that same thumping sound all by itself or is it happening whenever you touch the stylus/tonearm?