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Zenith Allegro Repair

Bryanosaurus

Bryanosaurus

New Member
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Hi All,

I recently purchased an old Zenith Allegro console system from a second hand store. It seems like everything works and sounds great except for the turntable itself. No matter what I try, I can't get the platter to turn. When turning on manual mode and turning the platter by hand, can hear a faint buzz as if the motor is trying to turn. It appears to be a direct drive mech, so there's no belt problems. I wouldn't know where to start with fixing or replacing the motor. Has anybody had this issue before? Any ideas as to what I can do? Any help is appreciated, thanks!
 
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Looks like the motor is frozen. Forty plus years will do that. You need to disassemble it. Clean and oil the shafts. Reassemble. This looks like a BSR turntable with Zenith's name on it. Has a ceramic cartridge on it. Not something I would play new and expensive records on. I always thought if I ever got a console that I would upgrade it with a better turntable with a magnetic cartridge. It would require a preamp between the turntable and the Zeniths amp. Have fun.
 
Bryanosaurus said:
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Hi All,

I recently purchased an old Zenith Allegro console system from a second hand store. It seems like everything works and sounds great except for the turntable itself. No matter what I try, I can't get the platter to turn. When turning on manual mode and turning the platter by hand, can hear a faint buzz as if the motor is trying to turn. It appears to be a direct drive mech, so there's no belt problems. I wouldn't know where to start with fixing or replacing the motor. Has anybody had this issue before? Any ideas as to what I can do? Any help is appreciated, thanks!
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The grease used turns to glue. Watch this video to learn how to fix:

 
Hi stereofisher and monkboughtlunch,

Thank you so much for the advice. My local hifi shop is not currently taking repairs, so I decided to tackle this on my own. I stripped the turntable apart, disassembled the motor and went to town. Cleaned every millimeter, oiled it up and put it back together. Wouldn't you know it, it runs like a top now. One thing I noticed while i had the platter off - The idler wheel has a dent in it, which causes a *wump wump wump* with every rotation of the platter. Possibly from sitting in manual mode with no power or motor rotation. Do either of you have any suggestions for the best place to find a replacement?
 
Record changer here is a Garrard 630s with the Unimech mechanism, the best changer Zenith offered in this time frame. Gary Stork at www.thevoiceofmusic.com can rebuild your idler wheel for around $40. This is an idler drive changer, not a direct drive.
 
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