Dump pick: Sony PS-T33

[rwh63]

hey,

grabbed this and dragged it home. don't have time for talk or pics right now, but if anyone is familiar with it, please advise on what to look for when examining it. not familiar with turntables. do believe it is from the late 70's early 80's?

 

[rwh63]

Ok, I’ve got an item rattling around under the platter. Located it and took a pic. Round plastic part, too big to pull out so must belong in there some where.

flipped it, removed the bottom. Clean. One issue is the manual/30/17 lever is not connected to anything. Don’t know if the stop/start button is functioning. Tried to back off the center but to remove the platter, but it doesn’t fully retreat. There is an inside snap ring at the top of that bolt. Like to remove the platter to inspect/fix issues.

 

[rwh63]

Ok, got the platter off. Good ole framing hammer! What is this BIC piece of plastic!??

 

[Mr Boochie]

Vinyl Engine's Service Manual is your next download.

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/sony/ps-t33.shtml

 

[Pio1980]

Maybe a 45 donut disc adapter?

 

[rwh63]

Maybe a 45 donut disc adapter?

Wow, you might be right!

 

[rwh63]

While bottom was off, I used Deoxit on the switches. I think that helped overall. Can’t figure out what is going on with the manual selector switch/arm. It’s not doing anything. Also, looks like I am missing the stylus counterweight thingy. Turntable newbie!

coincidentally, I just got back from a shop my Yamaha amp/pre amp. Now I get this turntable.

 

[rwh63]

What does the “selector” even do? bummer the counter weight is missing. think the t-22 one will work

 

[rwh63]

after a little research, i believe the t22 and t33 use the same counter weight.

 

[rwh63]

update: found an ebay seller willing to part out his machine, so received the tone arm weight, 45 donut, a replacement tone arm w/cartridge and stylus, and a hinge (which had suffered the infamous spring break).

after various forms of internal work, it looks like all things function properly. i'm sure it needs fine tune adjustments. the Sony instruction sheet may help ( https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/W000/W0009083M.pdf ).

one issue i would like to fix is the cue lever will not stay in the raised position. if i let go of it, it will automatically lower the arm. i examined it from the bottom, but don't see any adjustment that i can make. maybe someone can chime in.

 

[rwh63]

some research indicated the cue lever issue might benefit from silicone dampening fluid.

 

[Roman68]

Hallo!
engine lubricated?

 

[rwh63]

Hallo!
engine lubricated?

care to translate?

 

[Pio1980]

Assume motor shaft oiled and free.

 

[rwh63]

i do have access to the service manual. i'll have to reference that.

 

[ETI_5000]

One issue is the manual/30/17 lever is not connected to anything.

The manual/17/30 control selects the record size (30cm or 17cm), where 30cm is for LP’s (long play, or multi-track albums) and 17cm is for ‘singles’, so that the fully automatic turntable knows what distance from the centre to lower the tonearm when operating automatically. For manual start (manual control position), the user can move the tonearm over to the record manually, and start where they want to, which could be at any place on the record.

I've modified the photo of the underneath (see above) so that the two record size levers are labelled 1 and 2. The lever (lever 2) attached to the 17/30cm control may not look to be attached to anything at rest, but when lever 1 moves with the tonearm (via some other levers) as it moves away from the rest, it contacts lever 2, and depending on the position of lever 2 (set by the 17/30 control position), it will stop at the start position for either a 17cm or 30cm record, and lower the tonearm onto the record. Then after some other lever(s) have operated, lever 1 will be moved so that things will be ready for automatic return of the tonearm, either at the end of record, or when the start/stop button is pressed during play.

after a little research, i believe the t22 and t33 use the same counter weight.

The PS-T22 was a semi-automatic turntable, which has manual start by the user, but automatic return at the end of the record, while the PS-T33 was the next model up in the range, and had the addition of the option of fully automatic operation. They were otherwise identical, and because they shared the same motor and tonearm design (and hence counterweights), performance was virtually identical, although the PS-T33 did have a slightly heavier platter than the PS-T22. I don’t own either, but know of the models they sold at that time (introduced in 1980).

one issue i would like to fix is the cue lever will not stay in the raised position. if i let go of it, it will automatically lower the arm. i examined it from the bottom, but don't see any adjustment that i can make. maybe someone can chime in.

For safe operation, it’s necessary for the cueing control to stay up when operated manually by the user, or automatically, as otherwise the tonearm could be moving sideways when the cueing drops the tonearm, and that could cause scratched records, or even damage the tonearm or stylus. So that should be a priority to repair - it's probably something physical that's happening, but as I don't own one, I can't help you with that.

Sometimes all it takes is for a complete cycle through of all automatic operations to reset everything, and they start working, based on my experience with some other brand fully auto turntables - I had one that wasn't working correctly, and by allowing it to go through its cycle, with a plastic ruler under the tonearm to prevent it from scratching the record, it's worked correctly ever since (about 15 years) with no problems!

 

[rwh63]

View attachment 2577391

The manual/17/30 control selects the record size (30cm or 17cm), where 30cm is for LP’s (long play, or multi-track albums) and 17cm is for ‘singles’, so that the fully automatic turntable knows what distance from the centre to lower the tonearm when operating automatically. For manual start (manual control position), the user can move the tonearm over to the record manually, and start where they want to, which could be at any place on the record.

I've modified the photo of the underneath (see above) so that the two record size levers are labelled 1 and 2. The lever (lever 2) attached to the 17/30cm control may not look to be attached to anything at rest, but when lever 1 moves with the tonearm (via some other levers) as it moves away from the rest, it contacts lever 2, and depending on the position of lever 2 (set by the 17/30 control position), it will stop at the start position for either a 17cm or 30cm record, and lower the tonearm onto the record. Then after some other lever(s) have operated, lever 1 will be moved so that things will be ready for automatic return of the tonearm, either at the end of record, or when the start/stop button is pressed during play.



The PS-T22 was a semi-automatic turntable, which has manual start by the user, but automatic return at the end of the record, while the PS-T33 was the next model up in the range, and had the addition with the option of fully automatic operation. They were otherwise identical, and because they shared the same motor and tonearm design (and hence counterweights), performance was virtually identical, although the PS-T33 did have a slightly heavier platter than the PS-T22. I don’t own either, but know of the models they sold at that time (introduced in 1980).



For safe operation, it’s necessary for the cueing control to stay up when operated manually by the user, or automatically, as otherwise the tonearm could be moving sideways when the cueing drops the tonearm, and that could cause scratched records, or even damage the tonearm or stylus. So that should be a priority to repair - it's probably something physical that's happening, but as I don't own one, I can't help you with that.

Sometimes all it takes is for a complete cycle through of all automatic operations to reset everything, and they start working, based on my experience with some other brand fully auto turntables - I had one that wasn't working correctly, and by allowing it to go through its cycle, with a plastic ruler under the tonearm to prevent it from scratching the record, it's worked correctly ever since (about 15 years) with no problems![/QUOTE


great reply, thx for taking the time.

yes, after a awhile, i learned the 17/30 refers to cm! and the manual option was for moving the arm myself. newbie. and yes, lots of functions have "reset" themselves after several work-overs. relieved that has happened. at some point i have to baseline the tone arm settings. back to youtube.

i found the drop point adjustment screw. the head was dropping at the outer edge, off the record.

#1 problem right now is the cue lever needs some help, and the automatic drop is really fast, to the point the head may bounce. should be a slow drop.

 

[roastymike]

[snip!]
The PS-T22 was a semi-automatic turntable, which has manual start by the user, but automatic return at the end of the record, while the PS-T33 was the next model up in the range, and had the addition of the option of fully automatic operation. They were otherwise identical, and because they shared the same motor and tonearm design (and hence counterweights), performance was virtually identical, although the PS-T33 did have a slightly heavier platter than the PS-T22. I don’t own either, but know of the models they sold at that time (introduced in 1980).
[snip!]

I have been pulling my hair out trying to find a replacement for the center gear / spindle gear for my T33. The service manuals for the T22 and T33 indicate different part numbers for this gear but...they look similar? Is there anything about the T22 mechanism and/or spindle that would necessarily mean these gears are or are not interchangeable?

I ask specifically because I can get a new T22 gear on ebay. I guess the T33 was just not a popular model since nobody seems to outright list it as compatible with anything.

Oh.....and apologies for the necro post. This was just the perfect comment to reply to! I hope someone is still around that can provide some insight.