Vintage radiogram connection - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Thomas222 · 7th Dec 2019, 2:40 pm

Hi all,

I was recently offered a very nice vintage piece of furniture with built in vinyl player, tube amp, radio receiver and speaker.
I have no idea when or where the thing was built, it's from a charity auction held at a local shop and probaly dates back to the 50s or 60s era, I would say (General Radio seems to be the brand).

https://zupimages.net/up/19/49/pjpo.jpg

The turntable was in really bad condition so I tried, and failed, to connect in its stead a pioneer PL-333Z turntable that was sitting in the attic.
https://zupimages.net/up/19/49/l1z9.jpg
https://zupimages.net/up/19/49/76mk.jpg

I'm posting pictures of the wiring at the back of the amp, there are three sets of sockets, and the turntable was plugged in the middle ones.
https://zupimages.net/up/19/49/gi81.jpg
https://zupimages.net/up/19/49/7w1c.jpg

I'm uploading pictures of the old cables and sockets
https://zupimages.net/up/19/49/1qzv.jpg

I cut the RCA connectors on the cord of the pioneer player, and tried to connect directly by rewiring my rca cable to the old plugs going into the connection sockets, but it doesn't do the trick. Of course, unlike in the pictures attached for illustration of the problem, I plugged in both cables each time. The colour of the original plugs was not white and red but yellow and blue...

Does anyone have any clue to how to connect the Pioneer player to the vintage amp ?

Thanks for your help, any insight will be highly appreciated !

paulsherwin · 7th Dec 2019, 2:52 pm

The Pioneer deck will be fitted with a magnetic cartridge. The radiogram will have been designed to work with a crystal or ceramic cartridge. You will need to add an external RIAA preamplifier between the Pioneer and the radiogram.

Of course, there may be faults with the radiogram too - this is highly likely if it is electrically unrestored.

Station X · 7th Dec 2019, 2:54 pm

One thing you haven't told us is whether the amp works with the radio.

Is there any signwriting on the chassis adjacent to the sockets or on the back panel?

Station X · 7th Dec 2019, 3:14 pm

I notice in your pictures that the audio cable from the new? turntable appears to be of the figure of eight type with two screened wires, one for each channel. If so you have both conductors of one channel connected to a single yellow plug, which will short out the signal.

The two screens need to go to the earthed side of the double socket and the two inner conductors to the other socket of the pair.

Station X · 9th Jan 2020, 10:52 am

The OP hasn't visited the forums since the day after he posted.

Were my replies too technical, patronising or incorrect?

kalee20 · 9th Jan 2020, 1:54 pm

I don't think so Graham.

Michael Maurice · 9th Jan 2020, 9:15 pm

It actually seems to happen a lot, I think a ot of people don't realise that their post has been replied to.

Regards

Michael

7th Dec 2019, 2:40 pm	#1
Thomas222 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Mercy-Le-Bas, France. Posts: 2	Vintage radiogram connection Hi all, I was recently offered a very nice vintage piece of furniture with built in vinyl player, tube amp, radio receiver and speaker. I have no idea when or where the thing was built, it's from a charity auction held at a local shop and probaly dates back to the 50s or 60s era, I would say (General Radio seems to be the brand). https://zupimages.net/up/19/49/pjpo.jpg The turntable was in really bad condition so I tried, and failed, to connect in its stead a pioneer PL-333Z turntable that was sitting in the attic. https://zupimages.net/up/19/49/l1z9.jpg https://zupimages.net/up/19/49/76mk.jpg I'm posting pictures of the wiring at the back of the amp, there are three sets of sockets, and the turntable was plugged in the middle ones. https://zupimages.net/up/19/49/gi81.jpg https://zupimages.net/up/19/49/7w1c.jpg I'm uploading pictures of the old cables and sockets https://zupimages.net/up/19/49/1qzv.jpg I cut the RCA connectors on the cord of the pioneer player, and tried to connect directly by rewiring my rca cable to the old plugs going into the connection sockets, but it doesn't do the trick. Of course, unlike in the pictures attached for illustration of the problem, I plugged in both cables each time. The colour of the original plugs was not white and red but yellow and blue... Does anyone have any clue to how to connect the Pioneer player to the vintage amp ? Thanks for your help, any insight will be highly appreciated !

7th Dec 2019, 2:52 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,968	Re: Vintage radiogram connection The Pioneer deck will be fitted with a magnetic cartridge. The radiogram will have been designed to work with a crystal or ceramic cartridge. You will need to add an external RIAA preamplifier between the Pioneer and the radiogram. Of course, there may be faults with the radiogram too - this is highly likely if it is electrically unrestored.

7th Dec 2019, 2:54 pm	#3
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: Vintage radiogram connection One thing you haven't told us is whether the amp works with the radio. Is there any signwriting on the chassis adjacent to the sockets or on the back panel? __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

7th Dec 2019, 3:14 pm	#4
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: Vintage radiogram connection I notice in your pictures that the audio cable from the new? turntable appears to be of the figure of eight type with two screened wires, one for each channel. If so you have both conductors of one channel connected to a single yellow plug, which will short out the signal. The two screens need to go to the earthed side of the double socket and the two inner conductors to the other socket of the pair. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

9th Jan 2020, 10:52 am	#5
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: Vintage radiogram connection The OP hasn't visited the forums since the day after he posted. Were my replies too technical, patronising or incorrect? __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

9th Jan 2020, 1:54 pm	#6
kalee20 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK. Posts: 7,088	Re: Vintage radiogram connection I don't think so Graham.

9th Jan 2020, 9:15 pm	#7
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,225	Re: Vintage radiogram connection It actually seems to happen a lot, I think a ot of people don't realise that their post has been replied to. Regards Michael __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/