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Getting sick of my slightly slow Yamaha YP-B4. Solutions or suggestions? New table?

The Reverend

The Reverend

Just terrible.
Hello,

I posted here a couple of months back about my slow Yamaha YP-B4. Basically I think the owner of my local independant made a good quick buck on it at my expense. I can never decide if I am happy with it; I sometimes feel like it is wobbly in pitch, particularly on the middle tracks of an album. I can also really tell when a piano's harmonics ring out like on any Keith Jarrett recording. This has all started to drive me nuts! Compound all this with the fact that it runs about one half step low in pitch I am listening to mostly CD's these days.

Someone before said that in order to fix this table, it would simply require a new motor. Problem is that I don't want to just buy another YP-B4 with no garantees as to the quality of its motor, and I would most likely have to pay $80-$100 to get one out of another YP. If I am going to pay that much, I would rather just buy another table and refurb it, like a quality Dual or something of the sort, something with a nice heavy platter and a reputation for stable playback and such. Also, the alignment on this table is a nightmare, would love to have a table with an arm of more "normal" (i.e. maybe not stevenson) geometry if I get a new one.

But really, I want to keep the one I have got, but I can't stand the sound of it when it runs all slow and such. Does anyone have suggestions on how to fix this thing? If it needs a new motor, does anyone have suggestions for a new one or one they would be willing to part with? I really appreciate any help!

Colin
 
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I wouldn't pay for a new motor with no guarantee either. Too much investment for a so-so turntable. Buy one of Bohhey's Duals! You'll sleep better at night.
 
I cannot remember if the YP-B4 has an AC synchronous motor, but regardless I rather doubt the motor's the problem. My suspicions would be either that the belt is bad or does not fit properly (most likely, too small) and/or that the main patter bearing and/or possibly (but less likely) the motor bearings need proper lubrication.

The other possibility: this is a pretty low-end tt. It may be that you are more sensitive to wow/flutter than the target consumer for such a tt. You may be hearing its limitations.
 
Difficult set-up? Never heard that before on a Yamaha TA. But, have never owned a YP-B4. What's the problem?

As for stable/correct speed, does the YP-B4 have a speed adjustment? If so, then it may be as simple as a squirt of Deoxit in the speed control pot. If like the other YP-TTs, it will also have one, or more, voltage adjustments on the power supply. These may need to be adjusted. You'll need the service manual. How about a drop or three of Mobil 1 5W30 oil in the motor bearings? They may be dry and dragging. Same with the spindle bearing if is a belt-drive.

You might check out the YP-D71 that merrylander is selling for $150. You'll know immediately that it is in excellent condition as that is the only way Rob sells things. Or, as stated above, one of Bohhey's Dual refurbs.
 
Lets see, I replaced the belt before. The reputable dealer sold it to me with a new belt- a new one that was one inch too short. I have the owners manual, I am not sure if there is another service manual or something. I have no problem digging into its guts if necessary. Where would I look for a speed control pot?

As far as the spindle bearing goes, the thing spins foreeeeever without the belt attached, so I don't think that is it. I am wondering if having the wrong belt on it for so long could have messed it up.
 
The Reverend said:
I am wondering if having the wrong belt on it for so long could have messed it up.
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Quite possibly. Can you post a picture with the platter removed? If it strictly an AC motor, then will likely not have a power supply or adjustments.
 
Again, I would talk with merrylander about the YP-D71 he is selling. Was my first Yamaha TT and it is an excellent unit that is quartz-locked, has a very nice arm that is about as simple to set as is possible and works very well with the very nice M97xE you are listening to. http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=110736

BTW - Just looked up a pic of the -B4 and can see nothing about it that would be a problem to set-up. What is the problem you are having with the set-up?
 
in terms of the YP-B4: To quote... who was it? Obi-Wan? "These little ones aren't worth your trouble"

Maybe I butchered that quote, but, with any luck, you get the idea :-)
 
Have you already replaced the belt that was too short? If not here's a reputable place that sells them cheap:

http://www.vintage-electronics.cc/Yamaha.html

If you have, then I agree with the others that putting more money into this turntable is a waste. Get a direct drive (even better with quartz lock) and you'll never have to worry about this nonsense. Almost any inexpensive DD Technics, Pioneer, etc., will sound better than what you have. And if you can swing it, Merrylander's YP-D71 will make you very happy. :music:
 
I was under the impression that belt drive was better, was I wrong? I thought it was less noisy. The problem I had with setup was difficulty using the stevenson protracter due to the fact that there is not enough room in the headshell, no VTA adjustment, and I just always feel like it is just almost out of alignment with the headshell overhang gauge. I really do love the look of my table. It is cosmetically in mint condition! It weighs about 14 pounds, not too heavy, not too light. Nothing is broken except for the damn motor. I guess I will just have to wait until I can swing some cash this summer (college student here).
 
hakaplan said:
Have you already replaced the belt that was too short? If not here's a reputable place that sells them cheap:

http://www.vintage-electronics.cc/Yamaha.html

If you have, then I agree with the others that putting more money into this turntable is a waste. Get a direct drive (even better with quartz lock) and you'll never have to worry about this nonsense. Almost any inexpensive DD Technics, Pioneer, etc., will sound better than what you have. And if you can swing it, Merrylander's YP-D71 will make you very happy. :music:
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Yeah, I did pay to replace the belt, unfortunately.
 
The Reverend said:
The reputable dealer sold it to me with a new belt- a new one that was one inch too short.
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Who's the local dealer? I dont' want to make the same mistake.

Keep checking our local CL. A month or so ago I got a really nice Technics SL-1700 MK II for cheap. It's in excellent shape and works perfectly. More good deals like that will show up. I'll keep my eye open for you.
 
I just say it was a small record store in San Mateo, the only independant record store in san mateo, and if you have a problem with Vinyl, they have your Solutions. I like the owner, he is really nice, but he is doing a business, and unfortunately he comes off kind of like a used car salesman when he sells gear. But his records are definitely priced to move, most of them are $3 a pop and used CDs are generally $5. Compared to Davis with Armadillo music it is much better; Armadillo doesn't even carry vinyl and a typical used CD is $9+. Records in Sac is pretty good, but it is kind of a drive for me and still not as cheap as my place back home.
 
The Reverend said:
I was under the impression that belt drive was better, was I wrong? I thought it was less noisy. The problem I had with setup was difficulty using the stevenson protracter due to the fact that there is not enough room in the headshell, no VTA adjustment, and I just always feel like it is just almost out of alignment with the headshell overhang gauge. I really do love the look of my table. It is cosmetically in mint condition! It weighs about 14 pounds, not too heavy, not too light. Nothing is broken except for the damn motor. I guess I will just have to wait until I can swing some cash this summer (college student here).
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Belt drives are fine turntables that make different tradeoffs than direct drive TTs and offer different benefits but both can be exceptionally fine.

I recently acquired a Yamaha direct drive YP-D4 that has a very similar problem, but it can't be fixed by replacing the low quality, uneven density replacement belt that is likely the root of your problem.

There is a very similar record/gear dealer locally who I consign gear through. He buys one size of cheap belt and uses it for every TT he sells that needs one. Never cleans the gear or tunes it up either, so my stuff always stands out and sells fast:D
 
absolon said:
Belt drives are fine turntables that make different tradeoffs than direct drive TTs and offer different benefits but both can be exceptionally fine.

I recently acquired a Yamaha direct drive YP-D4 that has a very similar problem, but it can't be fixed by replacing the low quality, uneven density replacement belt that is likely the root of your problem.

There is a very similar record/gear dealer locally who I consign gear through. He buys one size of cheap belt and uses it for every TT he sells that needs one. Never cleans the gear or tunes it up either, so my stuff always stands out and sells fast:D
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Not to sidetrack the rev's thread, but still addressing the benefits/tradeoffs of belt vs. direct, I don't understand how your turntable has a similar problem. Yours has pitch control to allow speed adjustment; his does not. And he did swap out the incorrect belt the dealer sold him.
 
From the original post: "I sometimes feel like it is wobbly in pitch, particularly on the middle tracks of an album."

Pitch control won't stabilize wobbly pitch, or at least it doesn't in the case of the D4 where the problem seems to stem from erratic cogging of the motor. Though the D4 is a nice table, I bought it mainly for the VMS20E-II it was sporting and had planned to refurb the table and resell with a different cartridge.
 
YP-B4p1.jpg


YP-B4p4.jpg
 
A too tight belt will load the motor bearings, slowing it down. Find an
FRX 25.0 belt. I have one for 10.25 plus postage.
 
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