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Calling all Optonica fans

Mission accomplished. This gear sounds fabulous at a much less than optimum location. The turntable is sweet, and everything works, except the arm wouldn't lift off the record at the end. It could have been an off center label. I'll need to play a few more records. What a shame. :D

I haven't messed with the tape deck yet because I have no room in this temporary location. I'll figure something out. The table is sitting on top of the receiver and the speakers are on top of the 6 foot tall cabinet next to it. Best I can do for now. This is the 4th system in this room. The tape deck may end up on top of a speaker for now. Photos coming later.

Edit: I'm not sure what the problem was with the arm not lifting and returning after the record ended, but it works as it should now.
 

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SPL db said:
Nice find! I came across that same cassette deck (without the wood side panels) that has the same problem yours does.

Guessing it needs a belt as well.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm guessing, but I haven't had time to open it up yet. It doesn't matter. I have 3 other decks that I can use for FF and RW. I don't record either.

Edit: Upon further review, I'm thinking it needs a belt for the play function also. That belt appears to be slipping.

just dave said:
I've got that receiver good power and sound but the Opto-lock tuning sucks.You'll see what I mean if you use the radio and there's no way to turn it off.
Click to expand...

I just tested the tuner section, but I'm not a radio listener because it sucks around here. I didn't play with it long enough to form an opinion about the Opto Lock. The tuner sounds good though.
 

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classic carl said:
I just tested the tuner section, but I'm not a radio listener because it sucks around here. I didn't play with it long enough to form an opinion about the Opto Lock. The tuner sounds good though.
Click to expand...

It pulls in stations good enough,the problem is that when it locks on a station you have to tune way past it for it to unlock.At least mine does.
 
classic carl said:
Mission accomplished. This gear sounds fabulous at a much less than optimum location. The turntable is sweet, and everything works, except the arm wouldn't lift off the record at the end. It could have been an off center label. I'll need to play a few more records. What a shame. :DI haven't messed with the tape deck yet because I have no room in this temporary location. I'll figure something out. The table is sitting on top of the receiver and the speakers are on top of the 6 foot tall cabinet next to it. Best I can do for now. This is the 4th system in this room. The tape deck may end up on top of a speaker for now. Photos coming later.
Click to expand...

They look in great condition. A 5905 delta power!
Sounds like your TT needs adjusting. It’s pretty simple on the 4705 not sure with yours with the tracking arm.
I’ve only worked on my RT-6505 cassette deck. Not sure if this applies to the 6205. There’s a small rubber roller that deteriorates. I made one out of some silicone tubing. The main belt was fine.
 
Thanks for the info. I haven't had a chance to open the tape deck yet. It was starting to gobble tapes. The take up reel isn't moving as fast as the other one.

I'll have to take a look at the TT too. It may not be perfectly level either. Would you happen to have an owners manual for any of these units?
 
That's what my deck was doing. Bet it has the same roller. No owner manuals. I only have the service manual on the SA-5401 and 5405 receivers. Could be some similarities.
if you need that kind of info.
 
just dave said:
It pulls in stations good enough,the problem is that when it locks on a station you have to tune way past it for it to unlock.At least mine does.
Click to expand...

My SA-5405 receiver doesn't do that. It works really good but my new ST-3636 tuner that I just hooked up had different problem. You can tune in a station perfect but can't let go of the knob and keep reception. I did a search and found others had the same problem. The problem was a variable resister. I down loaded the service manual traced out the automatic lock circuit and made a slight adjustment. It worked. Dave your problem might be the same variable resister.
 
I have an RP-7705, but it looks like it has a different needle than yours (see attached). Have you had to acquire any replacement parts for it? If so, do you have part numbers?
 

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BPlaya said:
I have an RP-7705, but it looks like it has a different needle than yours (see attached). Have you had to acquire any replacement parts for it? If so, do you have part numbers?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you are asking. My table has an Audio Technica cartridge on it with the original headshell. Your table has a Shure cartridge with an inclusive aftermarket headshell. They are two different animals. I replaced the stylus in my cartridge with a brand new one because, although it sounded fine, I had no idea how many hours were on it and if it was worn or not. You should be able to find a replacement stylus (needle) for your cartridge. I don't know what model that Shure is though.
You could also replace the entire cartridge with one of your choosing if you could find an original headshell. Your best bet might be to replace the stylus, at least until you find an original headshell.

I still have the turntable, but sold the receiver to another AKer and gave the tape deck away to a local tech to fix and sell. I like the table for its uniqueness more than anything else. That was why I bought it in the first place.

Does your dust cover stay in the up position? Mine will not, but as I mentioned in the other thread you posted in, I remove mine when in use. The attached hinges slide out to remove the cover.
 
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Thanks for responding. I'm not really sure where to begin with this TT. My dad bought it new and I'm not sure when he changed out the headshell but it was probably in the early 80's (not long after he bought it right around 1980). It's been in this configuration for as long as I can remember it. I'm just not sure if this is a good headshell/cartridge/stylus or not. Like yours, it seems to play fine as-is, but I'm wondering if I should replace it just because. I cleaned it with a Zerodust Onzow and so much dust came off of it that my zerodust looks wrecked.

The dust cover stays up just fine, but the pitch controls seem a lot harder to turn than I remember. It's been sitting on a shelf in my mom's basement for about 20 years, just rescued it a few weeks ago.
 
I had an RP-3500 that I was quite impressed with. It had a very heavy lid too with a metal weight sticking out of the top that acts as a counterweight when the lid is lifted. It holds it up. I may have a picture here with it. Yes, you can see t in front of the lower reflection in the dust cover.

IMG_2826.JPG IMG_2828.JPG

Very nice sounding table with a synthetic granite upper plinth. The base is an equal thickness wood plinth with a nice veneer on it. Excellent vibration isolation aided I believe by the heavy plinth. I felt a similar characteristic with the Kenwood Rock turntable but this one sounded much better. I've also had the Kenwood Rock turntable.

I was very impressed with the build quality of the table and enjoyed using it.
 
Silly question, but I'm a newb so take it for what it's worth. My Optonica didn't have a mat for the platter so I bought a leather one but I'm not impressed with it. Was this TT designed to have no mat? I thought back to the 1980s when we had it as our main source of audio and I can't remember.
 
BPlaya said:
Silly question, but I'm a newb so take it for what it's worth. My Optonica didn't have a mat for the platter so I bought a leather one but I'm not impressed with it. Was this TT designed to have no mat? I thought back to the 1980s when we had it as our main source of audio and I can't remember.
Click to expand...

Mine has the original rubber mat as shown in the photo.
 
BPlaya said:
Silly question, but I'm a newb so take it for what it's worth. My Optonica didn't have a mat for the platter so I bought a leather one but I'm not impressed with it. Was this TT designed to have no mat? I thought back to the 1980s when we had it as our main source of audio and I can't remember.
Click to expand...
I have one of these old tables in the garage I picked up at a thrift. It doesn't seem to work correctly, didn't give it much thought because I have 2 operational tables in use. If you or OP need any parts, pm me. I would be happy to ship ya something if it means you can get yours working as long as you pay it forward to someone else someday :)
 
hutchballs said:
I have one of these old tables in the garage I picked up at a thrift. It doesn't seem to work correctly, didn't give it much thought because I have 2 operational tables in use. If you or OP need any parts, pm me. I would be happy to ship ya something if it means you can get yours working as long as you pay it forward to someone else someday :)
Click to expand...

I would be interested in just the hinges, if your dust cover will stay in the up position. PM sent.
 
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