Decca Sound 1531 Model (Actually a DS1513/T) - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Rushy5888 · 20th Feb 2017, 5:41 pm

Newbie looking for info on a donated Decca Sound 1531. I cant find any photos or info re model history, original speakers, manuals. Can anybody help.
thanks

Edward Huggins · 20th Feb 2017, 6:25 pm

Can't trace this as yet. Is it a compact 1970s Music Centre with 2 small speakers and a BSR record deck? As always a photo will help us to help you.

Nuvistor · 20th Feb 2017, 6:27 pm

Be best to post some photos, someone may recognise it.

Audio1950 · 20th Feb 2017, 7:03 pm

If you go into Google, then "images", and type in Deccasound 1531, there are plenty of photos.

Barry

Nuvistor · 20th Feb 2017, 8:08 pm

Tried that and it returned mainly LP's, with a 600 and 613 Deccasound. Just shows how dynamic web searches can be.
From looking at the 600 and 613 I presume the 1531 is transistor or IC.

Frank

Nickthedentist · 20th Feb 2017, 9:05 pm

Not for me either, Barry. I wonder why?

Audio1950 · 20th Feb 2017, 10:52 pm

Sorry, that should have read "Deccasound 1531 record player"

Barry

Nickthedentist · 20th Feb 2017, 10:59 pm

Thanks, Barry, but that still brings up a random selection of Deccasound record players, none of which seem to have the model number (DS)1531. It's not in the R&TVS books either.

Rushy5888 · 20th Feb 2017, 11:32 pm

Thanks all for the replies.

A new neighbour dragged it out of her loft in her previous home and kindly gave it to me.

Lead you astray, after cleaning it up reveals 1513/T sorry.

Edward Huggins · 21st Feb 2017, 10:40 am

Ah, at last all our various assumptions can be laid to rest. This looks rather unfamiliar as I've not seen this particular Decca model before. My dating guess is 1968/69 and note that it uses quite a good BSR P128R (?) deck.

Nickthedentist · 21st Feb 2017, 12:07 pm

Yes, a cheapish integrated stereo record player, but with the benefit of a better than average deck.

Assuming that the amplifier section is working, the whole thing could probably be brought back to life by servicing the record deck, which will be seized in many places because of the grease turning to glue. It will also need a new stylus, and the switches and slider controls will need internal cleaning to stop them crackling.

Any speakers with an impedance of 8 ohms or greater will probably do for this. Your local charity shops will probably have a selection. Medium-sized ones from the same era and price bracket would be your best bet. I have some here which you could have FOC if you're ever in the Oxfordshire area.

Do the speaker sockets look like the ones on the left side of this pic?
http://thumbs.picclick.com/00/s/MzYw...-Record-_1.jpg

Try it with headphones to check for signs of life (left hand socket on the front panel).

N.

Rushy5888 · 21st Feb 2017, 12:23 pm

Thanks for the info and tips, nice to know what I have, one of the sliders is missing its top? Can I source same?

Will post pics of the speaker sockets when back home. Thanks for the offer of speakers and will take you up if I travel that way.

Looks like a few nights cleaning up and testing

Nickthedentist · 21st Feb 2017, 1:40 pm

It looks like the knob is missing, but fortunately that the actual control is undamaged. If this is the case, someone here might have a matching knob in their box of spares. Post a picture of one of the others as a guide.

Rushy5888 · 22nd Feb 2017, 12:13 am

taken a pic of the speaker connections and speaker wire that came with it , only one cable unfortunately , also pic of the knob missing from the slide control , anybody know the decca speaker that came with this model? Thanks for the help so far

'LIVEWIRE?' · 22nd Feb 2017, 10:13 am

Those are DIN Speaker plugs and sockets. Suitable plugs, including solderless types, are available from the usual suppliers, enabling any pair of speakers of suitable wattage and impedance to be used. Be aware that those DIN speaker sockets can suffer from intermittent connection problems, so may need replacing.

Nickthedentist · 22nd Feb 2017, 10:24 am

Maplin sell DIN speaker plugs with screw terminals, or with a length of flex already fitted.

Nuvistor · 22nd Feb 2017, 2:21 pm

It's very easy for the wires to short in the Din speaker plugs if not fitted correctly. That would probably damage the transistors in the output stage.

There are threads in the forum if you search on how to avoid the problem when wiring the plug.

Frank

'LIVEWIRE?' · 22nd Feb 2017, 11:14 pm

The easiest way with the plugs is to slip a short length of (heatshrink) sleeving over the wire going to the round pin, solder the wire to the pin, then push the sleeving down so that said pin is completely covered and shrink the sleeve in place.

Rushy5888 · 23rd Feb 2017, 1:20 pm

Thanks to all for the help and advice.

I have powered up and tried with my headphones, sound comes through but very faint, platter turns at correct speed and record plays fine.

Picked up the suggested speaker connects/wiring from Maplin's, picked up some age related Wharfedales at £20 so will test with them when I collect on Sunday. Looks like may have issues with the auto select and damper?

To raise the arm doesn't seem to travel up far enough, more questions buu loving the project so far.

20th Feb 2017, 5:41 pm	#1
Rushy5888 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Bolton, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 7	Decca Sound 1531 Model (Actually a DS1513/T) Newbie looking for info on a donated Decca Sound 1531. I cant find any photos or info re model history, original speakers, manuals. Can anybody help. thanks

20th Feb 2017, 6:25 pm	#2
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,325	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model Can't trace this as yet. Is it a compact 1970s Music Centre with 2 small speakers and a BSR record deck? As always a photo will help us to help you. __________________ Edward.

20th Feb 2017, 6:27 pm	#3
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,431	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model Be best to post some photos, someone may recognise it.

20th Feb 2017, 7:03 pm	#4
Audio1950 Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 3,761	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model If you go into Google, then "images", and type in Deccasound 1531, there are plenty of photos. Barry

20th Feb 2017, 8:08 pm	#5
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,431	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model Tried that and it returned mainly LP's, with a 600 and 613 Deccasound. Just shows how dynamic web searches can be. From looking at the 600 and 613 I presume the 1531 is transistor or IC. Frank

20th Feb 2017, 9:05 pm	#6
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,839	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model Not for me either, Barry. I wonder why?

20th Feb 2017, 10:52 pm	#7
Audio1950 Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 3,761	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model Sorry, that should have read "Deccasound 1531 record player" Barry

20th Feb 2017, 10:59 pm	#8
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,839	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model Thanks, Barry, but that still brings up a random selection of Deccasound record players, none of which seem to have the model number (DS)1531. It's not in the R&TVS books either.

20th Feb 2017, 11:32 pm	#9
Rushy5888 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Bolton, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 7	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model Thanks all for the replies. A new neighbour dragged it out of her loft in her previous home and kindly gave it to me. Lead you astray, after cleaning it up reveals 1513/T sorry. Attached Thumbnails

21st Feb 2017, 10:40 am	#10
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,325	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model Ah, at last all our various assumptions can be laid to rest. This looks rather unfamiliar as I've not seen this particular Decca model before. My dating guess is 1968/69 and note that it uses quite a good BSR P128R (?) deck. __________________ Edward.

21st Feb 2017, 12:07 pm	#11
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,839	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model (Actually a DS1513/T) Yes, a cheapish integrated stereo record player, but with the benefit of a better than average deck. Assuming that the amplifier section is working, the whole thing could probably be brought back to life by servicing the record deck, which will be seized in many places because of the grease turning to glue. It will also need a new stylus, and the switches and slider controls will need internal cleaning to stop them crackling. Any speakers with an impedance of 8 ohms or greater will probably do for this. Your local charity shops will probably have a selection. Medium-sized ones from the same era and price bracket would be your best bet. I have some here which you could have FOC if you're ever in the Oxfordshire area. Do the speaker sockets look like the ones on the left side of this pic? http://thumbs.picclick.com/00/s/MzYw...-Record-_1.jpg Try it with headphones to check for signs of life (left hand socket on the front panel). N. Last edited by Nickthedentist; 21st Feb 2017 at 12:17 pm.

21st Feb 2017, 12:23 pm	#12
Rushy5888 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Bolton, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 7	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model (Actually a DS1513/T) Thanks for the info and tips, nice to know what I have, one of the sliders is missing its top? Can I source same? Will post pics of the speaker sockets when back home. Thanks for the offer of speakers and will take you up if I travel that way. Looks like a few nights cleaning up and testing

21st Feb 2017, 1:40 pm	#13
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,839	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model (Actually a DS1513/T) It looks like the knob is missing, but fortunately that the actual control is undamaged. If this is the case, someone here might have a matching knob in their box of spares. Post a picture of one of the others as a guide.

22nd Feb 2017, 12:13 am	#14
Rushy5888 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Bolton, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 7	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model (Actually a DS1513/T) taken a pic of the speaker connections and speaker wire that came with it , only one cable unfortunately , also pic of the knob missing from the slide control , anybody know the decca speaker that came with this model? Thanks for the help so far Attached Thumbnails

22nd Feb 2017, 10:13 am	#15
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model (Actually a DS1513/T) Those are DIN Speaker plugs and sockets. Suitable plugs, including solderless types, are available from the usual suppliers, enabling any pair of speakers of suitable wattage and impedance to be used. Be aware that those DIN speaker sockets can suffer from intermittent connection problems, so may need replacing.

22nd Feb 2017, 10:24 am	#16
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,839	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model (Actually a DS1513/T) Maplin sell DIN speaker plugs with screw terminals, or with a length of flex already fitted.

22nd Feb 2017, 2:21 pm	#17
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,431	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model (Actually a DS1513/T) It's very easy for the wires to short in the Din speaker plugs if not fitted correctly. That would probably damage the transistors in the output stage. There are threads in the forum if you search on how to avoid the problem when wiring the plug. Frank

22nd Feb 2017, 11:14 pm	#18
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model (Actually a DS1513/T) The easiest way with the plugs is to slip a short length of (heatshrink) sleeving over the wire going to the round pin, solder the wire to the pin, then push the sleeving down so that said pin is completely covered and shrink the sleeve in place.

23rd Feb 2017, 1:20 pm	#19
Rushy5888 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Bolton, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 7	Re: Decca Sound 1531 Model (Actually a DS1513/T) Thanks to all for the help and advice. I have powered up and tried with my headphones, sound comes through but very faint, platter turns at correct speed and record plays fine. Picked up the suggested speaker connects/wiring from Maplin's, picked up some age related Wharfedales at £20 so will test with them when I collect on Sunday. Looks like may have issues with the auto select and damper? To raise the arm doesn't seem to travel up far enough, more questions buu loving the project so far.