SBW Posted November 9, 2020 Posted November 9, 2020 Hi, I have been offered a PYE SL Four Sixty One Vintage Stereo (pictured below) for $150. I'm thinking of buying and trying to restore and give to my daughter for Christmas. It all works and to me has a pretty sweet sound but I am a novice. Turntable, radio, all working and almost look new. Speaker tops (or pot plant stands) are obvious issue. All veneer is sound, no chipping , warping or bubbling. Do you think this could be brought back to its former glory and is it worth $150? Appreciate any advice including tips on restoring etc. 1
RCAJack Posted November 9, 2020 Posted November 9, 2020 I’m kind of a fan. I think it’s way more interesting than the fake vintage record players at JB Hi-Fi that I’ve seen. The fact you’ve heard it working and it sounds OK is good news. It’s not exactly ultra-fi but that’s not the point. Some light sanding and a stain could get the speakers looking better. I’ve used the stain-and-varnish products to spruce up tired woodwork. YouTube has loads of videos on repairs to furniture that would be relevant also. Admittedly, such systems can turn up for free sometimes on the nature strip, and if it went kaput, then you’ve got to ask if it’s worth repairing (at which point: welcome to DIY audio repairs). BTW, one modification I’d consider is to add an input so you could plug in a phone or whatever and listen to music that way. It’s also hard to predict what it’s doing to records. Easy to suggest you buy a stylus pressure gauge and a new stylus as a precaution but it’s all money of course. Basically, I think it could be fun but I’d be a bit cautious if you have treasured albums you want to play. 1 1
LogicprObe Posted November 9, 2020 Posted November 9, 2020 Given the amount of work to be done on it, I think $150 is a bit much. 3 1
Guest Old Man Rubber Posted November 9, 2020 Posted November 9, 2020 Definitely get a bluetooth module wired into it somehow - otherwise it'll just gather dust with these kids today
SBW Posted November 10, 2020 Author Posted November 10, 2020 Thanks All, My daughters 18 but loves everything 60's/70's including her vinyl of that era and will get plenty of use out of the turntable. Digs her Bob Dylan, Canned Heat, Gerry Rafferty and has now discovered Australian Crawl. Having said all that, she still listens to the current stuff as well so Bluetooth / phone input ideas from Old Man Rubber and RCA Jack is a great idea. I wonder how hard it is to do. I'm guessing the BT module would be connected to the internal amp. Anyone out there with experience? Also, curious if anyone knows or can recommend someone who repairs/ services turntables around Port Macquarie for future reference. I guess I will see if I can get the price dropped a little because I think it would be a fun project and am pretty keen to see what I can do with it. 2
Guest Old Man Rubber Posted November 10, 2020 Posted November 10, 2020 (edited) 30 minutes ago, SBW said: Having said all that, she still listens to the current stuff as well so Bluetooth / phone input ideas from Old Man Rubber and RCA Jack is a great idea. I wonder how hard it is to do. I'm guessing the BT module would be connected to the internal amp. Anyone out there with experience? It isn't trivial unfortunately, the bluetooth modules are very cheap ($5-$20) although you need to find the L/R line level part of the circuit in the electronics to patch them in. On some gear this is trivial (trace back where the source switches are) but on something that only switches between radio and phono you might have more of a struggle. I would start at the source switch though. Once the tech has found those, wiring in a set of RCA as well would be a good idea. My dude in town would be able to do it but he isn't in Port Macquarie. edit: plus you need to find 5V power somewhere in there as well. You can run a wall wart internally if you wire up a plug to the wires coming from the wall if there isn't any 5v available but it would be a bit messy. Edited November 10, 2020 by Old Man Rubber
RCAJack Posted November 10, 2020 Posted November 10, 2020 Terry from D Lab (on YouTube) did a video about adding a line input to a vintage radio. He pretty much just injects the signal at the volume control with a switch to isolate it. Hopefully the video gives some useful ideas about the principal involved. A Bluetooth module’s output could be connected in the same way. 1 1
SBW Posted November 10, 2020 Author Posted November 10, 2020 Thanks Old Man Rubber and RCA Jack, Really interesting information and video. The more I think about it the Bluetooth and an input would really give this thing a new lease of life and is almost essential for the youngsters as you guys suggest. Haven't got the confidence to do myself at this stage but its good to understand the concept. Hopefully. Ill find someone here. Will have a chat with the seller tonight and see if I can get him down a few more dollars. Knowing that the turntable and radio under the hood look almost new and are functioning as they should (has a BSR 4 speed stacker which I think was pretty standard across most brands offering this type of thing), the Bluetooth and mp3 input suggestion has made me pretty keen. I showed my daughter a restored or as new one one on (not sure if I am aloud to say, a free classified's site) on the pretence that I wanted it for myself and and she thought it was "so sick". I just hope I can bring that veneer back. 2
SBW Posted November 10, 2020 Author Posted November 10, 2020 BTW, the one I showed my daughter is advertised for $1500. It looks immaculate but wow! 1
Guest Old Man Rubber Posted November 10, 2020 Posted November 10, 2020 2 hours ago, SBW said: BTW, the one I showed my daughter is advertised for $1500. It looks immaculate but wow! Tell 'im e's dreamin'
SBW Posted November 10, 2020 Author Posted November 10, 2020 1 minute ago, Old Man Rubber said: Tell 'im e's dreamin' Ha ha, yes! $1500 can get you some pretty nice Jousting Sticks these days. 2 1
LogicprObe Posted November 11, 2020 Posted November 11, 2020 30mtr range https://www.amazon.com.au/Upgraded-BluDento-Bluetooth-Receiver-Speakers/dp/B07F6ZP5WF/ref=asc_df_B07F6ZP5WF/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341773503976&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8473060255630915247&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9071923&hvtargid=pla-571550472657&psc=1 1
lenticularis Posted November 11, 2020 Posted November 11, 2020 (edited) Those Bludento AptX HD version receivers work really well. That Amazon price is inflated. eBay price should be more like A$120. Good luck getting that Pye. Edited November 11, 2020 by lenticularis Comment on price 1 1
SBW Posted November 11, 2020 Author Posted November 11, 2020 Thanks LogicprObe and lenticularis those receivers look great and a pretty simple solution. I guess wiring in a module would be quite a bit cheaper but as I am not really confident enough to take that on at the moment something like this looks pretty good. Seller knocked a few more dollars off so picking up on Friday. Again, thanks to everyone offering advice, this is a fantastic site and really helps the thought process of novices like me. In keeping with that, RCAJack mentioned the need for a stylus pressure gauge (thank you, I didn't even know they were a thing). Are they pretty much all the same. See them on eBay for $20-$30? 1
lenticularis Posted November 11, 2020 Posted November 11, 2020 Happy to help SBW, although my knowledge is minimal compared to many on here. I hesitated about what stylus pressure gauge to buy. Eventually I went with a cheap one, costing about $18 in May. I note that the same item, same seller is now $24.99 ( https://www.ebay.com.au/c/19018945711 ) 1
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