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Panasonic RD-7703

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xXSHADoW93Xx

Active Member
Scored this at a local thrift store, wanted something that would match my PC desk. Originally was being sold for $14.99 at Unique, but since i had a 50% off coupon, only got it for $7.50 + tax.

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Has a BSR C141.B.6 record changer, but it seems to have been modified so that the record changer spindle was replaced with a spindle that only holds 1 record.

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I know it's no Rolls Royce of record players, but at least it has some upgradability, and the tracking weight / anti-stake is adjustable.

Currently, it has an EPC-35TT "semiconductor" cartridge, but does anyone have a cartridge that they can recommend? It uses a standard 1/2" mount.
 
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It hasn't been modified with a single play spindle. They came with that, and it removable. Or it should be but if neglected they cement themselves in often enough! You're actually missing the auto spindle. And they came with a smaller 45 stacking spindle too. This is a base level bsr changer that Panasonic used a lot and with some needed TLC cleaning and relubing should work even if someone left it in a barrel of poop for 30 years. Any cheap cart will work in these. I wouldn't throw much more at it than you already have. They have loads of rumble and resonance but they do run forever.
 
eb2jim said:
It hasn't been modified with a single play spindle. They came with that, and it removable. Or it should be but if neglected they cement themselves in often enough! You're actually missing the auto spindle. And they came with a smaller 45 stacking spindle too. This is a base level bsr changer that Panasonic used a lot and with some needed TLC cleaning and relubing should work even if someone left it in a barrel of poop for 30 years. Any cheap cart will work in these. I wouldn't throw much more at it than you already have. They have loads of rumble and resonance but they do run forever.
Click to expand...

Ah, that explains why that single play spindle was removable then.

Are these able to use magnetic cartridges? If it can, I was considering putting in an AT3600 considering it's a common cartridge. Either way, I still need a preamp.
 
When you undo that single screw it should drop a bracket thing to mount a standard cart. I believe there should be 1/2" mount under there. Remove the flip cart and hook up whatever,just make sure you keep track of the screws that are in there.
 
eb2jim said:
When you undo that single screw it should drop a bracket thing to mount a standard cart. I believe there should be 1/2" mount under there. Remove the flip cart and hook up whatever,just make sure you keep track of the screws that are in there.
Click to expand...

Yeah it is ½" mount.
 
Report in on the sound. I'll bet it sounds better than others will have you think. It certainly has more that $7.50 in cool factor!
 
Here's a quick demo. Kinda surprised my iPhone's mic input can also equalize phono input decently (you'll need a mic/headphone splitter adapter)


On my setup, it is attached to a Pyle PP999 preamp (I want to eventually get a tube preamp), which is connected to my PC's line-in. It's on-par with my Technics TT that's on my main system.
 
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What's the tracking force on that?

I gave away two of those recently, one mounted in a Panasonic all-in-one with 8-track.
 
I just picked one up yesterday for $15.00. It seems to have a lot of tracking weight. I have put the needle pressure adjustment to the lightest setting and it still seems pretty heavy. I don't' have a scale but it feels very heavy. Do you have any suggestions to help?

I have the change spindle but not the short one. I did not get a 45 adapter either.

The cartridge on mine is EPC-35TTCD L03 I don't know what all those additional numbers are.

It works but sounds bad with this cartridge. Before I upgrade I want to know how to adjust the tracking weight a little more.

Also my tonearm is at a pretty steep angle. maybe 25 degrees or more toward the record.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I do have other turntables which are better. I just wanted to fool around with this one.

Thanks,
 
I believe the stock cartridge is designed to track between 4 and 6 grams. Without a scale it's hard to say if the lightest setting is at 4 or less. They didn't really design them to go lower than that.
You could potentially get it lighter by shortening the spring (making it tighter), or replacing with a stronger spring. As soon as you swap the cartridge out the game changes because different cartridges have different weight.
Not sure how the OP managed to mount a magnetic cartridge on his without it humming like mad.

Tonearm at a steep angle is normal with these. I suppose they're thinking more about playing the middle and top of the stack.
 
charlesdemar said:
I believe the stock cartridge is designed to track between 4 and 6 grams. Without a scale it's hard to say if the lightest setting is at 4 or less. They didn't really design them to go lower than that.
You could potentially get it lighter by shortening the spring (making it tighter), or replacing with a stronger spring. As soon as you swap the cartridge out the game changes because different cartridges have different weight.
Not sure how the OP managed to mount a magnetic cartridge on his without it humming like mad.

Tonearm at a steep angle is normal with these. I suppose they're thinking more about playing the middle and top of the stack.
Click to expand...

I was wondering about the magnetic cartridge also. There is no ground wire. Is there one inside the chassis? Can you add a ground wire?

I did tighten the spring all the way. I do need to get a scale. It's something I have lived without for too long.

What cartridge would you go with? Is there a good ceramic cartridge?

Thanks for your response.
 
You could add a ground wire but you'd still have problems with the lack of shieldig from the two pole motor.
Info here: http://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/cartridges_help_substitution.html#MagCar

There are some very cheap digital jeweler's scales out there that do a decent job as a tracking force gauge for these heavier tracking turntables.

There are some posts around on good sounding ceramic cartridges. Personally I haven't found one that really comes close to matching a decent magnetic cartridge. I just look for one with decent compliance that doesn't track over 4 grams. But they're tough to find. Ultimately I thik you'll find that these BSRs are what they are. Neat, rugged machines that are fine for playing beater records on but not much more than that.
 
charlesdemar said:
You could add a ground wire but you'd still have problems with the lack of shieldig from the two pole motor.
Info here: http://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/cartridges_help_substitution.html#MagCar

There are some very cheap digital jeweler's scales out there that do a decent job as a tracking force gauge for these heavier tracking turntables.

There are some posts around on good sounding ceramic cartridges. Personally I haven't found one that really comes close to matching a decent magnetic cartridge. I just look for one with decent compliance that doesn't track over 4 grams. But they're tough to find. Ultimately I thik you'll find that these BSRs are what they are. Neat, rugged machines that are fine for playing beater records on but not much more than that.
Click to expand...


Thank you for responding and also for sharing that link. I have not seen that before. Very helpful. Thanks,
 
I lowered the tracking weight on mine by tightening the spring, and while I was regreasing/relubricating the changer mechanism, added a ground wire/loop.
 
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