My RCA Victrola New Vista Model VGT 61W

MattTech:

Frustrating for you and me both. However, you are the expert here so people are reaching out to you. i have contacted three electronic places in LA and none can help. They won't make house calls and they say they have no room to diagnose a console. so what am I to do? I have sound out of one speaker and a tine bit of sound out of the other. I cannot fix it myself and no one can help. I thought that's why this board was here - because we all love the old tech and want to preserve it.

If you have any suggestions or tech contacts that would come out to the North Hollywood, CA area I would be happy to hear them.

Again, thank you for all your help in the past.

Indeed, keeping the American made products are a priority to me, and a lot of others.

I do my part best as I can here on the east coast.
I'm flooded - swamped with people needing my professional services.
And I provide the best quality service in every case.
But even I cannot diagnose all issues over a type-written screen and it's limited 2-dimensional photos. - it's just impossible.

I wish you luck in finding a reputable servicer - hopefully as good and thorough as me.

For fun, here's the console so far. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8sms8G ... e=youtu.be

You must not be worried about money, eh?

Because using the console in that condition (one speaker low) means there's something wrong with the electronics.

In my extensive experience with those New Vista consoles, I've had to replace the output transistors due to "use" stemming from people not knowing something's wrong.

Let's see, 2 (expensive germanium) output transistors per channel, at 30 bucks a transistor - 120 bucks for 4.
If one channel's blown, the other is at risk.

You'll know - when a bad HUM happens.
Then it's gonna cost you much more.

Message: get it restored before using it.

Matt,
My advise, when ANYTHING electrical is not functional, at 100%, is to un-plug it, until it is properly repaired.
Ron Rich

One quick note: messing with the pickup may have broken one of the tiny wires connected to it. This would either cause silence or loud hum in one channel.

Sonoradude -

I have the exact same console with a similar problem (missing the retainer). I just found one online and am planning on trying to put it on this weekend. Can you possible send me a picture or video of your headshell now that you've put the retainer on it? I'm a little perplexed as to how it fits on...otherwise, I'll try to follow MattTech's instructions as best as possible.

My email is lececil0827@yahoo.com if you want to send it to me directly.

Thanks!

It seems that many of those RCA New Vista consoles are now coming into my shop with multiple issues.
One of these is the age-related deterioration of many of the old capacitors.
This, being a tedious and laborious job, is needed to bring back the reliability and sound that these consoles can produce.
Other issues are record changer related, also due to old grease drying up after 40+ years.
So a simple "bad needle" replacement is likely not all that is going to be needed.

I got it! It was pretty intuitive how it was supposed to fit on there, but thanks for the instructions MattTech!

Oh, and I've had mine overhauled by a technician - plays like a dream!

@MattTech- do you rebuild the New Vista amps? We only rebuild (for customers as well as the sales floor) tube equipment here in Minneapolis & get ALOT of call for rebuilding these (and of course other brands as well): the cabinet style is appealing to many of our customers.
As a PS, we've a full bottle of those cartridge clips in the backroom, in case someone is in need...

Would you be interested in selling this? It if is cherry/mint condition as you stated name your price.
My direct email is Ceccarossi_Robert@comcast.net

Thanks

vintage music co wrote:@MattTech- do you rebuild the New Vista amps? We only rebuild (for customers as well as the sales floor) tube equipment here in Minneapolis & get ALOT of call for rebuilding these (and of course other brands as well): the cabinet style is appealing to many of our customers.
As a PS, we've a full bottle of those cartridge clips in the backroom, in case someone is in need...

do you still have those cartridge clips? I would be interested in purchasing a couple.

cadoo

I have the same RCA Victrola New Vista unit as you, but I am without a needle and having a hard time finding what one I need to get. Do you have any information on the needle you found and where to get one?

Thanks!

jrock wrote:I have the same RCA Victrola New Vista unit as you, but I am without a needle and having a hard time finding what one I need to get. Do you have any information on the needle you found and where to get one?

Thanks!

Due to the scarceness of these "Feather Action" floating cartridges, it's now necessary to custom-fit a completely new cartridge in them, if one is needed.
This requires knowledge of output voltage, some re-wiring, and picking out the proper replacement cartridge.