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Old 8th Apr 2016, 4:48 pm   #1
FERNSEH
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Default Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

I've a found a new home for my Ekco ARG134 radiogram. No electronic problems to sort out, all that was done in 1999. The cabinet was also at the same time French polished. It still looks good after almost seventeen years.
So the 'gram looks good but unfortunately the radio chassis is nothing special. U40 series valves are employed which means a series heater chain and the usual live chassis technique. Not nice. I'm going to do something about that, a 1 : 1 mains isolation transformer will be fitted. It is essential that this component if fitted because the radiogram is to be used as a display item.
Not sure what to do about the Collaro three speed auto changer. Leave it in or replace it with something more modern.

DFWB.
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 4:57 pm   #2
mark pirate
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

I would leave the Collaro in place, but earth the deck for safety.
A newer deck never looks 'right', far better to keep it original.

Mark
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 5:03 pm   #3
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

Ouch - oh no, do leave that Collaro autochanger in. A newer one will spoil such an authentic unit. Does it work? You can get replacement catridges easily. EKCO really did us a lot of "U" series chassis and most unusually in big Radiograms like this. This was made before the Pye takeover and C. O. Stanleys merry men were to be found wandering around in White Coats! Edward
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 5:21 pm   #4
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

Are you sure it's live chassis? Ekco went through a period of using a string of U series valves attached to a transformer winding - not an autotransformer, a fully isolated transformer.
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 5:33 pm   #5
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

Paul is right, the chassis is isolated from the mains in this model.
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 5:36 pm   #6
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

Presenting A New Triple-Speed Auto-Radiogram...

The 78s are ready to go, can't wait Mr Fernseh!
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 5:53 pm   #7
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

Hi Paul,
your right there is a mains transformer but I'm not sure if is a double wound one for complete isolation. Definitely U40 series valves though.
Yes, I will use the original record deck. That's decided. There only question. Will the original pickup be OK on modern LP records and is it possible to fit an alternative PU cartridge?

DFWB.
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 6:58 pm   #8
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FERNSEH View Post
your right there is a mains transformer but I'm not sure if is a double wound one for complete isolation.
See snip below.
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 7:04 pm   #9
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

From that diagram, the transformer certainly appears to be a double wound one, but myb advice, FWIW, is to check that it actually is what it appears tobe!
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 7:07 pm   #10
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

Certainly does no harm to check.
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 7:07 pm   #11
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

That advert shows a Garrard deck so the deck may have been changed or was an alternative at the time.
Which model of Collaro and which cartridge is fitted?
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 7:53 pm   #12
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

I'll check out the type of Collaro deck tomorrow. The radiogram is stored upstairs above the shop and to gain access you have go to the front of the shop and into the street, not wise on a Friday evening.

The Ekco A160 table radio employs U40 series valves and has a double wound mains transformer.
Nevertheless, it would be wise to check that these is no direct connection to the mains.

DFWB.
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 8:04 pm   #13
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Silviefisch View Post
Presenting A New Triple-Speed Auto-Radiogram...

The 78s are ready to go, can't wait Mr Fernseh!
Hi Silvie,
The record deck is supplied with two interchangeable pickups.
One will be for playing only 78rpm records.

DFWB.
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 9:00 pm   #14
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

Trader Sheet 947 is the one you want. It's on both Paul's and the BVWS discs AFAIK.

David, the veneer on the front of the machine is stunning, even nicer than on the pic in the ad in post 6.

Nick.
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 9:22 pm   #15
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

Hi Nick,
that's what this radiogram is all about, it's appearance and those beautifully book matched veneers on the front panels. I had to decide which radiogram to keep in my collection, the RGD 1046G or this one. The Ekco looks better than the slightly staid looking but worthy RGD. The RGD wins because of it's excellent amplifier and the better radio receiver.

Despite the simple radio receiver and single output valve the Ekco gives a good sound from it's 10" loudspeaker.

DFWB.
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 9:40 pm   #16
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

Yes, agreed.

This is basically the well-known A104 in disguise.

N.
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Old 8th Apr 2016, 11:39 pm   #17
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

This may have the Collaro RC131 3 spped autochanger. The ideal cartridge for this is a stereo-compatible BSR X5M which will play both Mono and Stereo records safely. Edward
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Old 9th Apr 2016, 12:33 am   #18
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FERNSEH View Post
that's what this radiogram is all about, it's appearance and those beautifully book matched veneers on the front panels. I had to decide which radiogram to keep in my collection, the RGD 1046G or this one. The Ekco looks better than the slightly staid looking but worthy RGD. The RGD wins because of it's excellent amplifier and the better radio receiver.

Despite the simple radio receiver and single output valve the Ekco gives a good sound from it's 10" loudspeaker.
This is pretty standard practice for British radiograms of the 50s. The manufacturers took a basic 4 valve superhet and put it in a big cabinet (sometimes admittedly with nice finishing) and an off the shelf record deck. These sold for at least double the price of a comparable table radio and were a big investment even for middle class families. Pye even used 3 valve short superhets in most of their 50s radiograms. I suppose it was a time of rationing and austerity.
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Old 9th Apr 2016, 9:42 am   #19
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

Quote:
Originally Posted by paulsherwin View Post
I suppose it was a time of rationing and austerity.
It was also a time of very high purchase tax, keeping the build cost has cheap as possible was a necessity, the tax was probably a lot more than any profit.

Frank
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Old 9th Apr 2016, 9:59 am   #20
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Default Re: Ekco ARG134 radiogram.

There was also a shortage of wood at the time, so this would have added to the price.
I seem to remember that purchase tax ran as high as 40% in the post war period!

Given the rather basic electronics, it is amazing how good the sound quality is in comparison with the table radio that shared the same chassis.

A big speaker in a large cabinet makes a huge difference.

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