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Old 5th Mar 2021, 2:06 pm   #1
KA2030RF
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Default ITT KA 2030 Issues

After serveral months searching, I finally found and bought an ITT KA2030 music centre system, exact same model I had new in the mid 70s. Complete with original trolley shelf unit, speakers and user manual. Once cleaned externally it was in excellent condition and the plastic cover is unmarked. So very happy with all that.
Plugged in and switched on, turntable and radio works although the latter's adjustment has stuck. Haven't checked the tape cassette.
Played Wings vinyl and only one speaker working. Swapped then over and no sound. Discovered a broken connection in one speaker soldered connector so fixed that.
Tried turntable again and LH channel not working. Swapped speakers with same result. Tried radio and got sound through both speakers!
Next checked the cartridge connections, all looked clean but two connectors were quite loose. Crimped them a touch so removed the cartridge to check better and in doing so the retaining front clip which holds the cartridge broke off.
So help please. Much as I like just looking at my purchase, I would so love to get it all working properly.
To start with I need another cartidge plastic retainer clip and a BSR Cartridge Slide B108647 so that I know the four cable connectors are in good order. The deck is BSR P128R.
I'm no expert on audio nor vintage electronics.
Thanks, Roy
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Old 5th Mar 2021, 2:54 pm   #2
Edward Huggins
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

Is the "retaining front clip" on the cartridge holder itself or is it on the cartridge body?
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Old 5th Mar 2021, 8:15 pm   #3
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edward Huggins View Post
Is the "retaining front clip" on the cartridge holder itself or is it on the cartridge body?
It's the retaining front clip of the cartridge holder that broke off. Cartridge body is OK.

Looks like I messed two of the B108647 cartridge slide female connectors.

So hopefully I can find replacements for both the above, have added photos below.

Then its back to working out what's wrong with the LH channel.
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Old 6th Mar 2021, 10:21 am   #4
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

Both The stylus Lady and eBay both show the carrier as out of stock which suggests that there is a market and supplier for it. There could be a back order but you will need to find out.

The plastic clip is available on eBay for pennies. Here you search for "BSR SC12H SC11M C1 Cartridge 1/2" Adapter Mount Turntable Headshell" or as I did, "BSR Cartridge Clip." Looks like the problem of it breaking is well known.

Good luck

Chris
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Old 6th Mar 2021, 11:21 am   #5
KA2030RF
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

Quote:
Originally Posted by simpsons View Post
Both The stylus Lady and eBay both show the carrier as out of stock which suggests that there is a market and supplier for it. There could be a back order but you will need to find out.

The plastic clip is available on eBay for pennies. Here you search for "BSR SC12H SC11M C1 Cartridge 1/2" Adapter Mount Turntable Headshell" or as I did, "BSR Cartridge Clip." Looks like the problem of it breaking is well known.

Good luck

Chris
Thanks for the info. I spoke with the Stylus Lady yesterday who is checking if can help me with both items.

I did a search for the BSR cartridge mount clip but the version shown is different to my broken one. Do you know if that mounting clip can be used anyway? My decks cartridge is a Sonotone 5339.

Going down another route, is there a known alternative replacement cartridge suitable for my deck? If so I could buy that plus its mount clip.
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Old 6th Mar 2021, 12:01 pm   #6
Edward Huggins
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

Well, there are other Stereo cartridges you can still buy which will fit this, but if your Sonotone is working well, why not re-mount it in the "broken" clip?
This can be done with Superglue and a bit of fettling.
The stylus must of course be vertical when viewed from the front and (very importantly) should have a -15 degree reverse rake when viewed from the side. Well worth a try.
If not get a new cartridge (we can advise) and sell the Sonotone, it's a well regarded cartridge anyway.
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Old 6th Mar 2021, 1:01 pm   #7
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edward Huggins View Post
Well, there are other Stereo cartridges you can still buy which will fit this, but if your Sonotone is working well, why not re-mount it in the "broken" clip?
This can be done with Superglue and a bit of fettling.
The stylus must of course be vertical when viewed from the front and (very importantly) should have a -15 degree reverse rake when viewed from the side. Well worth a try.
If not get a new cartridge (we can advise) and sell the Sonotone, it's a well regarded cartridge anyway.
Thanks Edward. I'll try with superglue once I source a new slider part with four good cable connectors.

I guess once the above is done and I still have a non working LH channel, then next to change will be a new cartridge. After that then I'm stumped and will need a specialist to check out the internals.
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Old 6th Mar 2021, 10:17 pm   #8
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

There seems to be some confusion here, the broken part is a clip for a sonotone 3549 or similar. The other part with the wires is a cartridge slide made by BSR.

I have also had those sonotone clips fail in this way and as Edward suggests a drop of superglue on the top front edge of the cart will suffice. Just hold it into position and keep on the pressure for a minute.

Now, there's another problem. The sonotone carts tend to suffer tarnished internal conections leading to drop outs. I have fixed them and made a thread about it if you are curious. Fiddly work and not for the novice though! So you may have to replace it with something like this:
Presumably the BSR slide is okay. Loose wires can simply be resoldered. Post pics if unsure.

Before ordering anything set the amp to 'phono', volume at about halfway, and with a small screwdriver touch each of the four contacts in the arm where the cartridge slide usually goes. If you get buzzing sound from the left channel then your amp is okay.
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Old 6th Mar 2021, 10:21 pm   #9
kirstyd
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

surely if the radio works on both channels the cart must be faulty. One of those red Cheap carts from china would work well in that unit
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Old 7th Mar 2021, 10:43 am   #10
KA2030RF
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

Quote:
Originally Posted by ben View Post
There seems to be some confusion here, the broken part is a clip for a sonotone 3549 or similar. The other part with the wires is a cartridge slide made by BSR.

I have also had those sonotone clips fail in this way and as Edward suggests a drop of superglue on the top front edge of the cart will suffice. Just hold it into position and keep on the pressure for a minute.

Now, there's another problem. The sonotone carts tend to suffer tarnished internal conections leading to drop outs. I have fixed them and made a thread about it if you are curious. Fiddly work and not for the novice though! So you may have to replace it with something like this:
Presumably the BSR slide is okay. Loose wires can simply be resoldered. Post pics if unsure.

Before ordering anything set the amp to 'phono', volume at about halfway, and with a small screwdriver touch each of the four contacts in the arm where the cartridge slide usually goes. If you get buzzing sound from the left channel then your amp is okay.
Thanks Ben.

So to summarise where I am right now.

Current cartridge is Sonotone 3559 which I need to test if ok. Cartidge plastic mount clip is broken, but I can glue this - sorted. BSR slide has two of the four wire female connectors damaged. So can't reliably hook up properly to the cartridge. A replacement slide with good cable conns is needed.

I've located a replacement slide tbc, got a work around for the cartridge clip, so then I'll can test the 3559 cartridge and the four pins contact to test signal feedbacks to the amp.

If still got a LH channel issue, then will buy a replacement cartridge and test again. If still no success then its over to a repair specialist I think.

Last edited by KA2030RF; 7th Mar 2021 at 10:54 am.
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Old 7th Mar 2021, 11:17 am   #11
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

Hi Roy
It is nice to see one of these again. My parents bought one new I think around 1976? It came from Freeman's staff shop, my mum worked there for many years and staff could buy returns for a greatly reduced price .
We had to have an aerial put up for FM stereo and were all impressed with the sound.
They had it for a couple of years. It worked well enough but when I became a Pink Floyd fan I decided it wasn't good enough for my cherished records so it was replaced with some separates which I still have.
The only real shortcoming was the tape deck. I remember that anything taped had a distinct lack of midrange. Maybe that was a fault on our unit possibly even the reason it was a return.
Once we had my replacement Dad sold the ITT in the local paper the way most things went in those days including his old Philips reel to reel and most of my toys! I wish I still had the Mamod traction engine though!
Rich
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Old 7th Mar 2021, 1:46 pm   #12
KA2030RF
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

Quote:
Originally Posted by slidertogrid View Post
Hi Roy
It is nice to see one of these again. My parents bought one new I think around 1976? It came from Freeman's staff shop, my mum worked there for many years and staff could buy returns for a greatly reduced price .
We had to have an aerial put up for FM stereo and were all impressed with the sound.
They had it for a couple of years. It worked well enough but when I became a Pink Floyd fan I decided it wasn't good enough for my cherished records so it was replaced with some separates which I still have.
The only real shortcoming was the tape deck. I remember that anything taped had a distinct lack of midrange. Maybe that was a fault on our unit possibly even the reason it was a return.
Once we had my replacement Dad sold the ITT in the local paper the way most things went in those days including his old Philips reel to reel and most of my toys! I wish I still had the Mamod traction engine though!
Rich
Nice story Rich, happy memories. Bought mine purely for nostalgic reasons, but will be even better to get it all working properly.
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Old 7th Mar 2021, 4:22 pm   #13
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

You could try transposing the left and right wiring at the pins of the cartridge. If the lack of sound changes output channels then the cartridge is faulty. If the problem still affects same output channel, then the fault is between the cartridge and the amplifier. Either way, at least you will then know what to try next.
Dave
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Old 7th Mar 2021, 6:32 pm   #14
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

Quote:
Originally Posted by G6ONEDave View Post
You could try transposing the left and right wiring at the pins of the cartridge. If the lack of sound changes output channels then the cartridge is faulty. If the problem still affects same output channel, then the fault is between the cartridge and the amplifier. Either way, at least you will then know what to try next.
Dave
Thanks, I'll try that too.
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Old 7th Mar 2021, 9:19 pm   #15
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

You shouldn't need to replace the whole slide if you just need some new cartridge tags these can be soldered on. Fiddly but do-able!
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Old 7th Mar 2021, 9:52 pm   #16
KA2030RF
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

Quote:
Originally Posted by ben View Post
You shouldn't need to replace the whole slide if you just need some new cartridge tags these can be soldered on. Fiddly but do-able!
Will bid on these and give that a try, thanks
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Old 10th Mar 2021, 1:15 am   #17
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

Have you tried it out with headphones?
if not please do so and see if both channels work on them.
When you plug headphones in they cut out the speakers.
Sometimes on an old system the cut out gets stuck, to describe it crudely and shoving a headphone plug in and out a few times rectifies this.
This is unlikely though, but worth a try.
If both channels work with the radio that is definitely a good sign.

May I ask if that cartridge holder is metal and heavy? I can't tell by just looking.
Cheers.
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Old 10th Mar 2021, 5:40 pm   #18
KA2030RF
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

Quote:
Originally Posted by 100series View Post
Have you tried it out with headphones?
if not please do so and see if both channels work on them.
When you plug headphones in they cut out the speakers.
Sometimes on an old system the cut out gets stuck, to describe it crudely and shoving a headphone plug in and out a few times rectifies this.
This is unlikely though, but worth a try.
If both channels work with the radio that is definitely a good sign.

May I ask if that cartridge holder is metal and heavy? I can't tell by just looking.
Cheers.
Hi and thanks for that suggestion, will try and see how it goes.
The cartridge holder which is broken is plastic and lightweight as is the headshell slide.
Roy
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Old 10th Mar 2021, 5:52 pm   #19
KA2030RF
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

I have all the parts now to hopefully get back to being able to test my KA2030 soon.

- Original 3559 cartridge, mount clip, headshell slide
- New female cable connectors x4 - to be soldered to the 4x slide cables
- New cartridge - Stereo Cartridge LP/78 Flipover Stylus + Cover / Cartridge as recommended on an earlier post on this thread.

Once slide connectors are fitted ok, I'm good to go.

One more question though..... see photos attached below.

There are four wires - Red, Green, Black, White - from the slide to the cartidge. I noted how they were connected as received on my sketch.
Is this correct?
I'm assuming L & R channels and their grounds. Last thing I want is to have it connected up wrong at the most important part.

Thanks
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Old 10th Mar 2021, 9:08 pm   #20
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Default Re: ITT KA 2030 Issues

Red = RH+, White = LH+, Black/Green = RH-, Blue = LH-.
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