Got a tt, need to fix

[doors666]

Hi guys,

a kind friend of mine gave me his age old tt. it was lying in the attic, covered with tons of dust. I cleaned it up, it works, but still has issues. i am a total tt newbie, so will need some help fixing it.

Its akai ap-x1 model, uses pc-35/rs33. tt is made in india. Not too much info on the web. any one used this before, how good or bad is it.

Issues:
1. i need to open and clean this thing.
2. sometimes, when playing, it makes a kad kad kad sound, like gears not going well with each others, then the sound stops, it plays fine all the time
3. the timing is off. it stops when the needle is on the record and plays when its not.
4. i need a mat for the platter for placing vinyls. whats it called? can i get one locally.
5. the interconnect is fixed, no rca out jacks. the cable and the rca connectors look worse than the ones given free with dvd players. need to solder new ones.
6. i got only one record, covered with dust. i need to clean it. where can i buy those used 50-100 bucks records in bangalore.
7. does it have an inbuilt preamp. i dont have one, so will need to make one. havent connected the tt to other equipment yet. i do hear miniscule output sound if i place my ear very near while its playing.

pics below.

 

[iaudio]

Doors, congrats! Hope you get this into working condition soon.
I think you should send a PM out to FMs kuruvilajacob, rajiv and stevieboy, so that they see this thread. I am sure they will be able to tell you what to do.

 

[doors666]

anyone? resident tt gurus kuruvilajacob, rajiv, stevieboy, could you guys please help

 

[kuruvilajacob]

Yes, I can help. If you can send it to Kottayam, my mechanic can service it at reasonable cost and make it sing again. As long as the motor is functioning,setting the other issues may not be a problem
kuruvilajacob

 

[doors666]

i want to do it myself and will need some guidance in doing so. main issues i will need help with are the sound sometimes and the timing being off. motor is functioning fine.

 

[jls001]

Issues:
1. i need to open and clean this thing.
2. sometimes, when playing, it makes a kad kad kad sound, like gears not going well with each others, then the sound stops, it plays fine all the time
3. the timing is off. it stops when the needle is on the record and plays when its not.
4. i need a mat for the platter for placing vinyls. whats it called? can i get one locally.
5. the interconnect is fixed, no rca out jacks. the cable and the rca connectors look worse than the ones given free with dvd players. need to solder new ones.
6. i got only one record, covered with dust. i need to clean it. where can i buy those used 50-100 bucks records in bangalore.
7. does it have an inbuilt preamp. i dont have one, so will need to make one. havent connected the tt to other equipment yet. i do hear miniscule output sound if i place my ear very near while its playing.

For cleaning, try isopropyl alcohol. If the grime is particularly stubborn, you can try using the kitchen cleaner "CIF".

Regarding the unwanted sound, you need to open it up, play it and figure out what is making that sound.

Regarding false timing, it needs fine tuning of the arm movement mechanism. Some sensor could be off its position.

Mat - you can buy it off ebay.com or ebay.co.uk. There is nothing available locally.

For interconnects, I recommend the very thin coaxial cables usually used in radio frequency applications. IIRC, it's nomenclature is something RG-175 or RG 178. You will need 2x run of say 1.25 meters (or more, depending on the distance of your TT to your phono preamp). Try Spectra brand or Toyo brand cables. The advantage of RF-grade coaxial cables is they have low capacitance, and they are well-shielded. The RCA connectors would be real bad by now, so replace them with something gold plated from Neutrik. The TT end will most likely be soldered type, so you need to solder them at the appropriate places. For earthing cable, use a wire from an ethernet cable as they are usually made of 24 AWG, good quality solid core copper. You don't even need lugs.

From the picture, the cartridge looks like a P mount type.

Most likely the TT would not have in-built pre-amp.

The sound you hear is the needle playing on the record. For record cleaning, try the "zero paisa method".

 

[kuruvilajacob]

I would rather get these things done by a professional than getting it done myself. Unless you are a technical guy who can do the repairs with some help from others. Just my opinion.

 

[reubensm]

Is your TT a Bush-Akai TT? Does'nt look in bad shape, seems like you've got yourself a decent TT. Looks like a bit of cleaning and lubricating will sort out your problems. Remember to take some pictures of whatever you are pulling out (before you do so of course) so you have a reference just in case you lose your way, putting it back

 

[arj]

i want to do it myself and will need some guidance in doing so. main issues i will need help with are the sound sometimes and the timing being off. motor is functioning fine.

great Idea ! as mentioned by kuruvilajacob you do run the risk of ruining it BUT this would be a simply great learning ground.
the idea on taking pics above is actually very important ! another is not to lose patience with Circlips etc ..break one and you regret the haste !

 

[doors666]

Is your TT a Bush-Akai TT? Does'nt look in bad shape, seems like you've got yourself a decent TT. Looks like a bit of cleaning and lubricating will sort out your problems. Remember to take some pictures of whatever you are pulling out (before you do so of course) so you have a reference just in case you lose your way, putting it back

yeah, its the akai bush ap-x1.

 

[Hiten]

2. sometimes, when playing, it makes a kad kad kad sound, like gears not going well with each others, then the sound stops, it plays fine all the time
.

Congrats doors666 !
Most semi auto turntables have lever which pushes a small metal clip on big gear near the shaft to return the tonearm back to original position and stop the TT. Being very simple operation I think lubricating these lever/s and other parts will solve the problem. Timing of vinyl turning on is little tricky particularly at the end of the vinyl, as these TT has small soft spring which works as antiskating force sometimes it needs to be adjusted too. Not sure though. If you remove the platter and open the bottom and post pic of both will give more clear idea.
Regards

 

[Hiten]

If possible pl. also post pic. of bottom of tonearm assembly inside the TT.

 

[entsurgeon]

Issues:
1. i need to open and clean this thing.
2. sometimes, when playing, it makes a kad kad kad sound, like gears not going well with each others, then the sound stops, it plays fine all the time
3. the timing is off. it stops when the needle is on the record and plays when its not.
4. i need a mat for the platter for placing vinyls. whats it called? can i get one locally.
5. the interconnect is fixed, no rca out jacks. the cable and the rca connectors look worse than the ones given free with dvd players. need to solder new ones.
6. i got only one record, covered with dust. i need to clean it. where can i buy those used 50-100 bucks records in bangalore.
7. does it have an inbuilt preamp. i dont have one, so will need to make one. havent connected the tt to other equipment yet. i do hear miniscule output sound if i place my ear very near while its playing.


The sound you hear is the needle playing on the record. For record cleaning, try the "zero paisa method".

hi. needle playing record making tak tak sound?? that d only be if the sound is emerging from your speakers. kindly dont hook this thing up to any expensive rig unless you get it serviced by a qualified guy who can sort out all issues else you may end up damaging your records/needle/cart/rig anything.

 

[jls001]

hi. needle playing record making tak tak sound??

I was referring to "minuscule output sound".

 

[stevieboy]

Welcome to the vinyl club Doors! I can see the diy vinyl session awakened the bug?

With semi automatic tables of this kind unless you have the manual the only way to fix it is to first understand what part does what function under the table. So with power off open it up look underneath and turn knobs to see what moves.

The motor might be working but strip clean an oil where necessary. Will help speed to b maintained and no hassles in future.

I didnt get what drive it is belt or direct? If belt then take belt off clean with iso wipe dry and replace or order a new belt.

See if the spindle in center can be dismantled and see if it's a ball in oil types or an inverted one with no oil. Clean appropriately for type, replacing oil if needed.

The last part is the most detailed the arm mechanism which would be causing the play issues. You'd have to figure out which part underneath is responsible and figure out how it moves or works. This would automatically suggest answers like adjusting distance or oiling or replacing a spring etc.

Turntable mat can be made of homemade rubber or cork or felt or acrylic sheet also to start off with then you can pick one up from ebay.

Your arm looks thin and lightweight so you could look at the ortofon om5e entry level cart which would go well with you arm since it has a high compliance which means your arm dies not have to exert much force to make the cantilever get into position on the record.

Definitely look at opening the arm to rewire it. The inside wire is prob old and gone. This means you should be able to open it at cartridge end by loosening a screw if present to reveal where the tonearm wire is soldered to four pins. Headshell might be removable or fixed to tonearm. You can run wire from cartridge end to tonearm base and there make RCA joints or do a continuous run to phono input.

All the best with the rebuild!

Edit: your cartridge looks like a p mount which plugs into the tonearm. Closeup pics and pics of inside will help the more tech minded members help better

 

[doors666]

thanx guys, i will post closeup and inside pics soon.

 

[sachu888]

If you are having problem with auto functions(noise).You can easily make it manual.I did the same with my Micro Seiki.I will also help you experimenting another tonearm and feedback problem. http://www.hifivision.com/phono-turntables/31119-disabling-auto-functions-turntable.html

Regards,
Sachin

 

[doors666]

The kad kad sound comes when I use the cut/return button. There is a metal wire in the pics that gets raised when the cut/return button is pressed. I think it might not be connected correctly. see pics 1, 2 and 4 below.

if i just play, without using cut/return, it keeps playing without any kad kad issues. The only problem is the timing issue.

ok, here are some pics. Please let me know if you want better pics of some particular area.

external -

And some of the insides

 

[Hiten]

In the first picture near big black gear I can see a metal wire to push clip on big gear which is meant to stop the tt and return the tonearm. Something is protruding below it. Is it in any way hampering free movement of big gear ? Remove C clip and see. Their ought to be small gear on shaft OR the platter itself which rotates the the black gear. The plastic S shape exactly below the tonearm has spring which is for antiskating do not remove it as replacing it will change tracking force. For all plastic moving parts lubricate with grease and all metal parts with oil. Below the black gear black plastic plate may have 1/2 ball bearing put grease on them. This thing returns the tonearm to original position.
Regards

 

[doors666]

In the first picture near big black gear I can see a metal wire to push clip on big gear which is meant to stop the tt and return the tonearm. Something is protruding below it. Is it in any way hampering free movement of big gear ? Remove C clip and see.

yeah the metal wire moves up and down when the cut/return button is pressed on the front panel. What is it supposed to push up? How does it work. Whats c clip, is that the c like thing in the middle of the black gear? easy to remove and put back?

Their ought to be small gear on shaft OR the platter itself which rotates the the black gear.

yeah the platter has that. smaller gear. platter moves with belt and the platter gear will move the black gear.

The plastic S shape exactly below the tonearm has spring which is for antiskating do not remove it as replacing it will change tracking force. For all plastic moving parts lubricate with grease and all metal parts with oil. Below the black gear black plastic plate may have 1/2 ball bearing put grease on them. This thing returns the tonearm to original position.
Regards

sewing machine oil will do? what kind of grease?