Sony HMP

Mr dimples

Mr dimples

New Member
My recently purchased Sony HMP70 has a problem.
The belt was replaced by previous owner and now it makes a metallic grating sound coming from the platter.
The return does not seem to operate either.
The new belt it good but not sure
What to do next.
Any help or directing me to a thread would be great for a newbie to higher end TT.
 
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Does the platter seem to rub at all? Are there any signs of scratches where the platter edge is, under it?

A common source of grinding or drag can be the spindle and the bushing it turns on. If the things seems to turn roughly that could be it. Does the platter make more noise when there is more weight on it? In other words if the mat and a record are on it (with belt or not) does it seem to be rougher or noisier? If the bushing is gone as I suspect, it will possibly be worse with more weight on it.

I don't have the HMP-70 any more but the spindle drops into a well and is held there by a small screw. The bottom of that well usually has (I think at least) a nylon bushing that reduces drag. They disintegrate over time and quite likely that has happened to yours. A lot of belt drive turntables like this use a similar design. How smooth is the spindle rotation if just done by hand? It should spin freely though don't expect it to run like a top.

As for the return there is a chance this is related. If the bushing is shot, the spindle can ride low and the cogs don't engage, or the silver metal piece in this pic doesn't trip the arm return.

This not exactly a higher end turntable but can do pretty well if running right.

Sony HMP-70 by Buhduh, on Flickr
 
Hi yes I pulled a late one last night and found what look like a piece of vinyl washer under the white cog. I found a concave washer and it gave the platter height and engaged the cog mechanism.
The return now works as you mentioned.
A new sony needle has been ordered so all I need to do is sort out a crackle sound from speaker/connections but that might be due to storage as it didnt do it today.
I have just polished the perspex lid with Brasso and the unit looks like new..
My old decks wont get a look in now..
And all for £50.
 
Yes, this is a good and reasonably simple turntable, basically auto return belt drive. And should perform reasonably well. I think once sorted you'll be happy.
 
Good news!

The stylus arrived today and the Sony now produces a very lovely warm velvety sound.
The speakers have stopped crackling, I think it was stored in a damp room.
 
And today the cracklings back!
I checked the speakers and they are ok but the left channel crackles I guess I need to check solder joints inside ?
I remember a similar thing happening with my old Binatone when I snagged the cable as a kid.
It wont hurt to clean the pods too I guess.
Any clues or remedies I would love to hear..
 
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Almost certainly it's the pots (controls) and switches. Get some Deoxit or other cleaner for electronics and spray them.
 
Hi @Montycat

Your post is a few years old I realise... I have one of these Sony HMP-70s with a similar problem: the platter is riding low and auto return not engaging, and I am almost certain it’s because the bushing is missing, causing the spindle to ride low. Opening it up, I see there is no nylon bushing, just an open hole, like in your second picture.

Do you know if it’s possible to replace the nylon bushing? And if so where I could get the part? Or is there another way to fix this that you know of?

Thanks for any advice!
James

Montycat said:
Does the platter seem to rub at all? Are there any signs of scratches where the platter edge is, under it?

A common source of grinding or drag can be the spindle and the bushing it turns on. If the things seems to turn roughly that could be it. Does the platter make more noise when there is more weight on it? In other words if the mat and a record are on it (with belt or not) does it seem to be rougher or noisier? If the bushing is gone as I suspect, it will possibly be worse with more weight on it.

I don't have the HMP-70 any more but the spindle drops into a well and is held there by a small screw. The bottom of that well usually has (I think at least) a nylon bushing that reduces drag. They disintegrate over time and quite likely that has happened to yours. A lot of belt drive turntables like this use a similar design. How smooth is the spindle rotation if just done by hand? It should spin freely though don't expect it to run like a top.

As for the return there is a chance this is related. If the bushing is shot, the spindle can ride low and the cogs don't engage, or the silver metal piece in this pic doesn't trip the arm return.

This not exactly a higher end turntable but can do pretty well if running right.

Sony HMP-70 by Buhduh, on Flickr
Click to expand...
 
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