hmv 8+8 help

[hmv88]

 

 

 

[hmv88]

 

I have purchased a HMV 8+8 turntable with a Gerrard 2025 TC turntable. All is going well so far. Have some original speakers arriving and have sourced a new diamond tip stylus. Sounds awesome with the speakers I have, though the auto switch off and return is not working I have the diagrams to service that and have learned how to lift the platter off. What I can't find, and not from the lack of looking, is how to get inside the body of the cabinet. I need to access the 'guts' of it to tighten the wires to the back of the volume control, as I have had to put a rubber bung behind the volume control to pull it out slightly to play lower volume. My question is; how to I pull the main body, or access the main body of the player? It is a 1970/1975 circa model. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[aussievintage]

I suspect you need to remove the turntable mechanism and access the insides via the large hole left behind.

[hmv88]

Is that the only way that I can access the inside? Surely I can pull out the internal of the player to replace parts and other components. I was wondering if the front panel comes off and the internals would slide out. I will post pic's when my iphone has recovered from another itunes update meltdown.

 

[Peterbean]

While on this topic, does anyone know about hmv speakers? There’s a pair with 8” drivers. Looking a bit like Richard Allans. 
ie full range with a woozer set in the woofer 

[aussievintage]

2 hours ago, hmv88 said:

Is that the only way that I can access the inside? Surely I can pull out the internal of the player to replace parts and other components. I was wondering if the front panel comes off and the internals would slide out. I will post pic's when my iphone has recovered from another itunes update meltdown.

 

 

It really is easy.  Just the two transportation screws.  Release and lift the mechanism out.  There will be two sets of cables, power and signal - probably long enough to just set the mechanism aside. Many portable record players were the same.

 

otoh you may be right, but I was trusting you when you said you could not find any way to open it otherwise.

[audiofeline]

This is a very entry-level record player, it sold for ~$180 if my memory serves me correctly (I recall buying one when I had saved my schooldays p/t jobs to replace the horrible portable record player that ate my records). 

 

Because it was a cheap player, I don't think the drivers would be anything special.   I would guess 4-ohm?  Are you wanting to keep it period-correct?  You would have a massive improvement in the sound if you put new entry-level drivers in with a crossover (the original probably only had a capacitor for crossover), and reinforce/brace the cabinets.  I wouldn't put any high-quality drivers in, because they would probably be too resolving for the entry-level TT and would display the limitations of the front-end (eg. turntable rumble, noise from the amp).  And replace the bell wire with a better quality speaker wire - electrical flex will be fine for these speakers/record player (not recommended for anything better). 

 

If you are really enjoying playing records, I would suggest doing an immediate upgrade.  The turntable won't be kind to your records (playing my records on a similar turntable took it's toll).  For not much money, there are a lot of good 1970/80's Japanese entry-level belt-drive turntables with counter-balanced tonearms, and entry-level amps and speakers from the same era on the pre-owned market that will be a quantum improvement in sound quality (and corresponding improvement in your enjoyment). 

 

 

[aussievintage]

1 minute ago, audiofeline said:

I don't think the drivers would be anything special. 

 

if memory serves, they were very nice little magnavox full range speakers.  It was a cheap system, but reasonable sounding - so much better than these crosley rubbish things the sell these days.

[audiofeline]

2 minutes ago, aussievintage said:

if memory serves, they were very nice little magnavox full range speakers.  It was a cheap system, but reasonable sounding - so much better than these crosley rubbish things the sell these days.

Agreed they are better than the Crosley.  They were OK sounding, I bought a similar designed AWA that had the equivalent BSR auto-changer, and with bigger speakers.  After a few years I learned about tweaking and upgrading, and I found myself falling into (an enjoyable) rabbit-hole. 

[hmv88]

14 hours ago, aussievintage said:

 

It really is easy.  Just the two transportation screws.  Release and lift the mechanism out.  There will be two sets of cables, power and signal - probably long enough to just set the mechanism aside. Many portable record players were the same.

 

otoh you may be right, but I was trusting you when you said you could not find any way to open it otherwise.

I have tried removing the transport screws but they are held in by a clip and for the life of me I can't get my hand in to remove the clips. would appreciate any help with getting them to release.

[wartman]

Those clips don't need to be removed usually.

Press down on the turntable and flip the clips from horizontal to vertical.

Then lift out the turntable.

[aussievintage]

2 hours ago, wartman said:

Those clips don't need to be removed usually.

Press down on the turntable and flip the clips from horizontal to vertical.

Then lift out the turntable.

 

Correct

[hmv88]

Thanks for your help so far and your patience. Here are some pic's of the model I have. The transport screws (2) can be seen. I can't see any clips when I pull the turntable up as far as it will go and they refuse to screw out any further. Hopefully the pic's will give a better idea. I love the sound and look of my HMV, so I am committed to getting it working 100%. Is there anyone you can recommend near me, if all else fails, that can repair and service my HMV. I am between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast QLD. 

[aussievintage]

They are at the bottom of the screws.  In the picture below, the clip has been flipped to vertical ready for removal.  When vertical it will fit through the hole in the wood.

 

Edited August 2, 2024 by aussievintage

[hmv88]

Okay, I can pull the deck up as far as it will go and get a small screw driver in to try to flip the clip but not having much luck. I understand what needs to be done, but can't seem to get it to flip. Slightly frustrating. If you give me one more pointer as to how to flip the clip, that would be great. Otherwise I think I will have to 'retire' defeated.

[wartman]

You normally access the clips from the rear,  or the bottom of the box the turntable sits in.

You may need to remove the rear or bottom cover.

[hmv88]

Unfortunately there is no way to do that on this model.

[audiofeline]

I don't think the transport screws are used to secure the turntable to the plinth.  The transport screws are used to lock the platter for transportation to protect the bearing.  So they lock the platter or free the platter, and the screws remain on the turntable.  Servicing of the turntable would be via the underside of the plinth, probably after the amp is removed. 

 

[aussievintage]

46 minutes ago, hmv88 said:

Okay, I can pull the deck up as far as it will go and get a small screw driver in to try to flip the clip but not having much luck. I understand what needs to be done, but can't seem to get it to flip. Slightly frustrating. If you give me one more pointer as to how to flip the clip, that would be great. Otherwise I think I will have to 'retire' defeated.

Lift the opposite side of the deck and push down on the screw with the clip. There needs to be room for it to pivot. Also note that they only flip one way. 

[aussievintage]

2 minutes ago, audiofeline said:

I don't think the transport screws are used to secure the turntable to the plinth.  The transport screws are used to lock the platter for transportation to protect the bearing.  So they lock the platter or free the platter, and the screws remain on the turntable.  Servicing of the turntable would be via the underside of the plinth, probably after the amp is removed. 

 

No these screws lock the whole turntable chassis down but also secure it when it is sitting on the springs. To remove it you need to do what we are saying.

 

[hmv88]

Okay, will give it a last shot. Thanks everyone.

[audiofeline]

13 minutes ago, aussievintage said:

No these screws lock the whole turntable chassis down but also secure it when it is sitting on the springs. To remove it you need to do what we are saying.

OK, thanks for clarifying, it's important to get the facts correct!