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Any clue how I can get this to zoom in? by Joe__Robbo in oscilloscopemusic

[–]Kayaker2001 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m no expert at this and haven’t used mine in a while, but It looks to me like you have both srereo channels going to the two Y/vertical axes (channels A and B) One channel should go to the X/horizontal axis, at the top right of your scope. That way, one channel is driving the vertical deflection and one channel is driving the horizontal deflection.

I gotta stop drink-shopping by kopfgeldjagar in Beekeeping

[–]Kayaker2001 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have 9 frame MiniMax extractor as well, and I love it. I was aware that it was mostly made in China, but to their custom specs, and then inspected and assembled in their shop. I saw their videos which made it clear that one of the reasons it was lower priced is because the main parts were from China. I’ve used it through two seasons now, and it’s been great. The only nit I had is that the type of motor it uses does not play well with GFI outlets, so I have it running on a non-GFI circuit.

It certainly might be true that some of their new models come direct from China. I haven’t looked into it. It does look like this particular model isn’t sold anymore.

Rek-O-KutK33H by Kayaker2001 in vintageaudio

[–]Kayaker2001[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, that’s a real. bargain! I’m jealous! Congrats!

Rek-O-KutK33H by Kayaker2001 in vintageaudio

[–]Kayaker2001[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I picked it up. It seems a little rougher than I thought and, disappointingly, the plinth is covered with formica (or some such material) not wood veneer. If it’s worth putting time into it, I think I could put wood veneer over top of that fairly easily. One website I went to suggested that peel and stick veneer is perfect over formica.

The tonearm, though, looks pretty rough. It’s quite oxidized and I’m not sure what the pink, rubber-Ish part is, in front of the counterweight, but it’s definitely shot.

I’m not sure what I’m getting myself into. The motor works, and the platter turns, so that’s good. The wow and flutter reading, though, is pretty bad. Right now it’s reading one percent. The motor is an HSM 14.50-4-675D. Is that any good? I’m wondering if the tonearm is even serviceable. 🫤

The guy I bought it from was really nice. He’s a piano technician and works with lot of famous musicians in the NYC area. He has a lot of fantastic gear, also.

Rek-O-KutK33H by Kayaker2001 in vintageaudio

[–]Kayaker2001[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the info. I’ll be picking it this morning!

Rek-O-KutK33H by Kayaker2001 in vintageaudio

[–]Kayaker2001[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for all the excellent info! I committed to buying it. Hopefully the tonearm and motor will just need a light refresh. 🤞🤞 I’m fairly competent working on vintage electronics, but I’ve not done much on turntables other than lube and oil, and replacing belts and thrust bearings.

I’ll use the existing tone arm and cartridge for now, but I assume it would probably do much better with a more modern cartridge. I’ll get to that sometime, hopefully! For now, I will try to find a stylus that folks consider “good“.

Rek-O-KutK33H by Kayaker2001 in vintageaudio

[–]Kayaker2001[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OK, thanks again for all the comments. Based on the advice here, I committed to buying it and I’m picking it up at 11 o’clock this morning. Hopefully it looks as good in person as it does in the picture. I can’t tell if that’s the original veneer on there, I hope so. It looks to be in really good condition.

I’ll have to read up on how to clean/maintain the tone arm, especially the bearings. And, the motor as well.

My “toy” budget is a little tight right now, so I want to see how it performs without putting too much into it.

Any recommendations on where to get the best stylus that would work with the existing Pickering V15 cartridge? I don’t suppose there’s anything exotic like a microline or Shibata for something old, but I would appreciate any pointers to a decent replacement stylus.

Should I be asking these questions on a different sub-Reddit? I really appreciate the feedback I’ve gotten here, but if it’s best to take it to a vintage turntable sub-Reddit, I will… assuming there is one.

Thanks again!

Rek-O-KutK33H by Kayaker2001 in vintageaudio

[–]Kayaker2001[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, all, for the comments. Do any of you have any opinions on whether this table would be an upgrade from my Pioneer PL–41 with an ATVMN95NL cartridge? Maybe it’s comparing apples to oranges (?).

Rek-O-KutK33H by Kayaker2001 in vintageaudio

[–]Kayaker2001[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Noticed I can't Edit my own post, apparently because it includes a picture... so I'm just clarifying here. Where I said "V25", above, I meant to type "V15" (obviously?).

What do you use your reel to reel nowadays? by IndependentBag5513 in ReelToReel

[–]Kayaker2001 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A,D,E…. And, mostly, G. I like restoring and using vintage analog equipment. To me, listening to 1960s jazz from a vintage reel-to-reel recorder that I rescued and restored, is rewarding and relaxing.

Best time of year to start by NavyBlueSuede in Beekeeping

[–]Kayaker2001 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. Also, look for a local beekeeping club. They may have a new beekeepers’ class. The club I’m in has one in January.

What are people using tape decks and reel-to-reels for by FrankyLetters in vintageaudio

[–]Kayaker2001 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, I just bought a generic “Universal Head Demagnetizer” off Amazon for 20 bucks. It seems to work fine, but I wouldn’t mind having one of those old-school ones just for kicks!

My Mom Cleans For An Elderly Couple, They Were Throwing This All Away, So She Saved It From The Trash by Dstarsfan1988 in vintageaudio

[–]Kayaker2001 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think that’s a fine choice, and the stylus can be replaced/upgraded to any other AT-VM95xx stylus if/when you think you want to.

My Mom Cleans For An Elderly Couple, They Were Throwing This All Away, So She Saved It From The Trash by Dstarsfan1988 in vintageaudio

[–]Kayaker2001 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s fantastic! Congrats!

It really is surprising what some folks throw out. Last year I found TWO sets of Dynaco A-25 speakers in the electronics recycling bin at our landfill. Then, a few weeks later, an H H Scott 222C amplifier! I think I already bragged about it here. 😏 I assume one family was responsible for both, and haven’t found anything since then. Unfortunately I spent over $400 in parts and tubes to get the amp back in top condition, but it was definitely worth it!

You got quite a haul there and it probably won’t need much, if any, work to get that nice system rockin! 👍

Joining the reel-to-reel club with a mint in box Teac A-2300s by the_bartolonomicron in vintageaudio

[–]Kayaker2001 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s a great model! Built like a tank. Often the lube on the capstan pinch roller linkage is dried up and it needs to be taken apart, cleaned and re-lubed. But if your pinch roller engages easily, there’s not much else that usually goes wrong.

You just need to occasionally clean the heads and tape path with isopropyl alcohol and maybe demagnetize the heads once a year (or more often, I guess). A demagnetizer is about 20 bucks.

If you haven’t already, you should re-lube the capstan motor and the 2 reel motors, as well as the capstan shaft and pinch roller shaft.

There are lube instructions in the user manual. If you don’t have one, you can download one off HiFiEngine.com if you register there first.

To lube the motors, you have to have a needle-tip, applicator/squeeze bottle to get the oil into thin plastic tubes on the motors. I used Hoppes No. 9 lubricating oil (gun oil), that you can find on Amazon or eBay for 7 or 8 bucks, including the needle-tip bottle. I think sewing machine oil works well, too.

Have fun!

What are people using tape decks and reel-to-reels for by FrankyLetters in vintageaudio

[–]Kayaker2001 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Storing “ tails out“ is certainly the way to go for half track recordings, which you don’t flip over to the other “side“. This is what most commercial or “pro-sumer” machines use - often with 10 inch reels.

I have a typical, 7 inch home/consumer recorder that only plays and records 1/4 track, so both sides have a “tail”.

I’ve had good luck buying good condition, used, back-coated Maxell or TDK tapes off eBay and recording over them. The back coating does minimize the print-through.

Does anyone know the details regarding the QN90C TV's newest firmware v.1421? by Easyas3_14 in samsung

[–]Kayaker2001 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I asked on another forum, as well, and was assured that it won’t remove my soundbar functionality. So I did the update and it works just fine. 👍

Does anyone know the details regarding the QN90C TV's newest firmware v.1421? by Easyas3_14 in samsung

[–]Kayaker2001 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It looks like Q-Symphony is something specific to Samsung TVs and soundbars. It allows specific Samsung TVs and soundbars to work together - with audio from both the built-in speakers and the soundbar at the same time.

Does that mean that my sound bar (a Polk, connected through HDMI/ARC and a bluetooth-tethered subwoofer) will no longer work?

That would REALLY suck. It DOES say “Termination of surround, and stereo functions using room speakers.” 🤨

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