Truvox R52 help - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Welsh Anorak · 4th Jul 2022, 3:45 pm

I should have known better, buying one on an online auction!

The machine WAS good before the unnamed courier got hold of it. However I'm hoping to restore it but I might need some help as to where some parts came from.
The cabinet damage isn't a problem but the motor sub-deck has parted company with the top deck and the speed change asssembly is in pieces. I'll figure a way of re-attaching the posts (previously rivetted) but I might need photos of someone's machine to figure out the speed change system.
Let me know if you have one of these machines and are willing to take internal pictures for me.

I would like to restore it as it's not the most common Truvox.

Restoration73 · 4th Jul 2022, 4:06 pm

Do you know the differences of the R50 series - I don't. I have an R54 here, but the
series all look the same to me.

Welsh Anorak · 4th Jul 2022, 4:42 pm

If it's like the 9 series, the suffix simply refers to the number of tracks - i.e. 2 or 4. Otherwise they're the same.

DMcMahon · 4th Jul 2022, 4:49 pm

Probably no help but 1 internal photo of the R54 here.

https://www.google.com/url?client=in...dugW82CdQ6bNgx

David

Welsh Anorak · 5th Jul 2022, 9:45 am

Actually that might help as it shows where the idler sits. Thanks David.

Nickthedentist · 5th Jul 2022, 9:52 am

Nice-looking machine. I would have guessed Thorn from its appearance.

Welsh Anorak · 5th Jul 2022, 10:24 am

That's why I got it - has something of the Clarke and Smith cabinet about it. It certainly looks like the Thorn machines of that era, but is mechanically quite different. Previously they'd used the Magnavox deck but this is one of their own.

DMcMahon · 5th Jul 2022, 1:37 pm

From Post 6 reference in Thread link in Post 4 above, the Service information in Studio Recording June 1969 has a photo showing top internal view of R54. Old web link in that Post 6 no longer works.

David

brenellic2000 · 6th Jul 2022, 7:52 am

Nowt to do with Thorn, despite 'similarities' - there are similarities with other designs too! When I researched Truvox's history I asked Truvox engineers if there was any Thorn connection... there was none, and they doubted any collaboration would have been unlikely. Oddly, however, Harry Howitt (Senior Mechanical Engineer on the Thorn FTD deck project of 1962/3 and the final DD/DF) left to join Truvox c.1967 - he may well have tweaked the final production models...

The Series 50 was designed by Ron Bishop (as were most Truvoxes since the cast-alloy R7 and Srs 80) at Neasden c1965/6 and entered production at Hythe in 1967... it had electronic problems, but despite a much improved Mk.II it was promptly dropped in 1969 with the Racal merger. Aimed at 'low-priced but true HiFi' market (as oppposed to budget), it struggled to sell.

Truvox's salesmen were not enamoured with it and much referred to promote the far superior, traditional, now Series 200. A bold effort but time was running out.

4th Jul 2022, 3:45 pm	#1
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,921	Truvox R52 help I should have known better, buying one on an online auction! The machine WAS good before the unnamed courier got hold of it. However I'm hoping to restore it but I might need some help as to where some parts came from. The cabinet damage isn't a problem but the motor sub-deck has parted company with the top deck and the speed change asssembly is in pieces. I'll figure a way of re-attaching the posts (previously rivetted) but I might need photos of someone's machine to figure out the speed change system. Let me know if you have one of these machines and are willing to take internal pictures for me. I would like to restore it as it's not the most common Truvox. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Glyn www.gdelectronics.wales Last edited by Cobaltblue; 4th Jul 2022 at 4:08 pm. Reason: Correct title

4th Jul 2022, 4:06 pm	#2
Restoration73 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Surbiton, SW London, UK. Posts: 2,801	Re: Truvux R52 help Do you know the differences of the R50 series - I don't. I have an R54 here, but the series all look the same to me.

4th Jul 2022, 4:42 pm	#3
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,921	Re: Truvox R52 help If it's like the 9 series, the suffix simply refers to the number of tracks - i.e. 2 or 4. Otherwise they're the same. __________________ Glyn www.gdelectronics.wales

4th Jul 2022, 4:49 pm	#4
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,603	Re: Truvox R52 help Probably no help but 1 internal photo of the R54 here. https://www.google.com/url?client=in...dugW82CdQ6bNgx David

5th Jul 2022, 9:45 am	#5
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,921	Re: Truvox R52 help Actually that might help as it shows where the idler sits. Thanks David. __________________ Glyn www.gdelectronics.wales

5th Jul 2022, 9:52 am	#6
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,846	Re: Truvox R52 help Nice-looking machine. I would have guessed Thorn from its appearance.

5th Jul 2022, 10:24 am	#7
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,921	Re: Truvox R52 help That's why I got it - has something of the Clarke and Smith cabinet about it. It certainly looks like the Thorn machines of that era, but is mechanically quite different. Previously they'd used the Magnavox deck but this is one of their own. __________________ Glyn www.gdelectronics.wales

5th Jul 2022, 1:37 pm	#8
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,603	Re: Truvox R52 help From Post 6 reference in Thread link in Post 4 above, the Service information in Studio Recording June 1969 has a photo showing top internal view of R54. Old web link in that Post 6 no longer works. David

6th Jul 2022, 7:52 am	#9
brenellic2000 Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rye, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 1,647	Re: Truvox R52 help Nowt to do with Thorn, despite 'similarities' - there are similarities with other designs too! When I researched Truvox's history I asked Truvox engineers if there was any Thorn connection... there was none, and they doubted any collaboration would have been unlikely. Oddly, however, Harry Howitt (Senior Mechanical Engineer on the Thorn FTD deck project of 1962/3 and the final DD/DF) left to join Truvox c.1967 - he may well have tweaked the final production models... The Series 50 was designed by Ron Bishop (as were most Truvoxes since the cast-alloy R7 and Srs 80) at Neasden c1965/6 and entered production at Hythe in 1967... it had electronic problems, but despite a much improved Mk.II it was promptly dropped in 1969 with the Racal merger. Aimed at 'low-priced but true HiFi' market (as oppposed to budget), it struggled to sell. Truvox's salesmen were not enamoured with it and much referred to promote the far superior, traditional, now Series 200. A bold effort but time was running out.