Phonoland

Hi all,

I've finally taken possession of my father's (and previously great grandmother's) RCA New Vista (see here).

Sadly, when it arrived at my home, it seems that the record player has stopped working. Here's the most detail I can provide:

The last time he used the record player was several months to a year ago, and it was working at that time (aside from the slow-to-start issue). Quote, "your mother yelled at me to turn it down".

It was moved, for the first time in 25 years, from his basement to mine, about an hour and a half drive. It was moved gingerly and nicely padded the entire way, with all moving parts secured.

But now... the stereo and record player are not giving me any sound.

The TV has sound.
The "pull - on" knob on the stereo panel is pulled, and the selector knob is on "phono".
There is still no sound at all if the selector knob is turned to "FM" or "AM".
The red "power" light in the lower right turns on.
The backlights on the radio panel on the right side turn on.
The cabinet light in the turntable area turns on.
The turntable spins at speed, and the needle is intact and functioning. You can hear the sound coming off the record.

I'm currently on MattTech's waiting list for some restoration work, but I'm wondering if there might be something stupidly simple I'm overlooking here. I took the back off and looked around with a flashlight, and all the wires looked intact and nothing looked damaged, disconnected, etc.

Is there something obvious I could look for that might be causing this?

Here are a couple shots of the inside. Let me know if I could provide you with a shot of something specific.

Behind the radio panel
Behind the TV

Colin,
I'm quite familier with those chassis, and to continue powering it up "as is" will only cause more damage - costing more obviously.
The set is liable to fry itself into oblivion - I've seen it happen.
And the power transformer, if stressed, is virtually not replaceable.

I personally own a system with those same chassis, and I *know* what can happen.
Hopefully, it hasn't, in your case.

Please, do NOT continue using it in that condition - it's 50 years old now.

Could you give me a better technical explanation of what may be going on?

The unit has been singing nicely since the late 1980s, used maybe once or twice a year at most in the last 25 years. It's been unplugged in the year or so since it was last used, at which time the record player was making beautiful music.

What's "going on" is age--electronics tend to "dry up"--usually faster with non-use--grease/oil does the same. IMHO, it's not wise to operate it at all, in that condition. Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:What's "going on" is age--electronics tend to "dry up"--usually faster with non-use--grease/oil does the same. IMHO, it's not wise to operate it at all, in that condition. Ron Rich

Ron's right.
Parts deteriorate over time - and can create a catastropic failure is left unattended.
This is common with vintage equipment - if you don't believe me, search out the internet for such information - namely capacitor malfuncions.
Resistors in those chassis also deteriorate, causing faults.
You'll find a plethora of sites detailing the hazzards of using equipment in "original" condition.
Colin, if you want me to restore this unit, and if you don't want to spend more than abolutely needed with it, please, stop using it in in its original condition.
It's obvious something detrimental is happening at this point.
I really hate to charge you more, and spend more time on a unit than if someone has the patience to wait for a proper restoration.
The benefits are numerous, and well worth it, in my opinion.

I have no problem not using it until you get to work on it. I just like to know the reasons things are happening.