Marantz 6200TT Help - Newbie

[robio80]

Hi. I was doing some TT shopping for my Dad, who's old Garard crapped out on him recently. (Surprise Christmas gift) Collectively, you all rock - I've been pouring through this site for advice, reviews, and ideas. Anyway, I picked up a Marantz 6200 for $65. (I would have loved a Thorens TD 160 based on everything I've read, but I wanted to stay under $150 and those things get expensive on ebay.) The tone arm sticks a bit, but if I nudge it to get it going, it works just fine. Everything else is perfect, including the tracking. I ordered the service manual on ebay, and I'm pretty good with my hands, so I'm sure it's a quick fix.

That tone arm though - never seen anything like it....I'm 27, and my Dad's old Garard just had a plain ol' arm. This one's got a weight on the back which I take to be the counterweight, and then there's a dial just a bit off to the side, which I think has something to do with the anti-skate control. I have no idea how to use either, and the TT didn't come with the user manual. I've scoured the net for the user manual or just general info on what to do with these, but I haven't had any luck. Can you, the collectively awesome resource that has gotten me this far get me the rest of the way?

Does anyone have a user manual they could email me? It seems to have a very old (original stock I think) Shure cartridge, and I was thinking about getting the Shure M97XE for $60. (Still under $150...) Will that cartridge play nice with this TT? I've seen a lot of mixed information about this cart, most good. The biggest knock is the reproduction on the high range, but he has Klipsch speakers that sound a bit sharp on the high end to begin with. Warm would be good. He mostly listens to opera and classical music.

Thanks again!!!

 

[markd51]

Hello, vinylengine.com may be of some help for you.

Firstly, if you are unfamiliar with the basic operations of a turntable, maybe the best advice is to do nothing until the Unit is given to you father.
(father knows best?)

Yes, I would assume you are correct in identifying both the Tonearm Counterweight, and Anti-Skate Dial.

Generally, the easy (but not the best way) was to set the Anti-Skate Dial to zero, balance the arm by screwing in-out the Counterweight on the Counterweight Stub-Shaft, so that the Arm floats-balances perfectly in a horizontal plane, and parallel to the Platter.
(Think of the tonearm as a teeter-totter)

Then, there should be a slip ring Dial on the Counterweight itself. Set this slip ring dial to Zero without moving the adjustment on the main counterweight. Then once this is achieved, slowly screw in the main counterweight body itself without touching the slip ring dial, until the Counterweight reads the desired verticle tracking force. Let's say 2 grams for starters. Then adjust the Anti-Skate Dial to also read 2. Provided everything is working, no other problems with the arm, this should get you into a rough ballpark in order to determine if there are still any other issues-problems.

Hopefully, somebody here can copy you an owner's manual, they are out there, as this marantz table was basically a common one back then. Mark

 

[kermit z]

Here is a useful link that can help you.http://www.theturntablefactory.com/balance.html

Lots of info on the net. The old TTs are fun though arn't they

 

[p. rex]

The anti-skate can be dialed in by ear with a decent pair of headphones. To set the counterweight, pick up a $10 Shure tracking force gauge. It'll be the best ten bucks you ever spent.

 

[robio80]

Thanks all. I got the service manual today, and it echoes all of your comments. Chalk one up for not being too patient...

Father definitely doesn't know best in this case. he's not exactly the most electronically inclined person, even with TT's. When I put my mind out to learn something, I learn everything about it. I went from knowing absolutely nothing about TT's two weeks ago to having a decent enough knowledge to take care of this for him. I read the service manual cover to cover today. It's pretty cool. I may buy a TT for myself and start buying all the classic rock records I can find

Any advice on the second part of my question? The Shure M97XE on this TT considering the type of music my Dad listens to and the Klipsch speakers that already accentuate the high end of the range?

Thanks again!!!

 

[BrocLuno]

That cartridge will be fine for starters. You'll have to decide where you want to go along with his hearing (older, perception is different) and his tastes in music. He may lean toward a warm mellow sound, or he may want something a little more clinical and cool? there are cartridges that can take you either direction.

First get a good magnifying glass or geologist pocket loop (nature store, etc. - a few $$) and look closely at the "needle" If it does not look sharp and pointed, you'll need a new stylus. there are replacements for that cartridge from cheap to very nice. Once you know the condition, you can ask for recommendations here. Ther'll be lots

Get some De-oxit or other tuner/contact cleaner and go through the switches and contacts. If you can get to the leads at the chassis and they are the plug in kind, get those contacts cleaned too. Maybe install some other leads if yours look frayed or beat up in any way? A little sewing machine oil may help with the sticky bits? Just be careful and don't over do anything. You'll be fine