RCA "New" Orthophonic High Fidelity Model: SHF-7

Hello Everybody,

It's been quite a while since I've been on here, but I recently accquired a new record player and I wanted
to tell you all about it. It is a High Fidelity record player from 1957 or 58 I believe. It is an RCA Victor "New"
Orthophonic High Fidelity. From what I researched on this model, I believe it isn't in stereo, but someone said you can get a stereo cartridge, and add an external speaker to make it stereo. I'm not sure of this. From what I have read, the SHF-7 is one of RCA's rarer models. I got it off this guy for $50.00 bucks. He lived about an hour away, and he had his wife meet me at our local grocery store with the unit, so I couldn't pass it up. I got it on Christmas eve and it was my Christmas and birthday present. I never buy anything for myself and I was super pleased to be able to buy this. for $50.00 you can't go wrong and I have wanted a unit like this for a very very long time.

I first fell in love with these units by listening to the RCA Stereo my great Aunt has. She has the stereo model and it sounnds magnificent. I believe it is stereo, and it says "Stereo Orthophonic High Fidelity" on the tuner, and on the grill it say's "Stereo Orthophonic High Fidelity" and "Dual Amplifier" where mine says "New" Orthophonic high fidelity. I just got back from an evening at my Great-Aunts house. Her RCA stereo from what I researched is a late 1958 early 1959 model which was when stereo was first coming out. We listened to all my favorite showtunes such as Gypsy, The King and I, Kiss Me Kate, and My Fair Lady. I enjoyed it immensly, her late husband loved the unit so much, and played it all the time when he was alive. My Great-Aunt and Uncle moved into their house in 1960. The did buy the stereo when they were still living at our house. When they moved they had to put their furniture in storage, and they moved into my great aunts lake cottage for 3 months before they could get into their house. She told me many times, the stereo is what he missed the most.

She kept the thing in impeccable condition. Once I inherit it, I wont have to do anything with the cabinet because its almost near perfect. Just the insides will need to be restored. Anyhow, The cabinet on my SHF-7 is in decent condition. When I brought it home on Christmas Eve, I dusted and polished the whole thing off. Unfortunately, this thing does not work. I wasn't expecting it to since it is 55 years old, if not over that. I was not disappointed, I was planning on having this thing professionaly restored anyway.

I did however tested it over vaguely. I didn't want to plug it in at first, but I wanted to see what it would do. Of course when I turned it on it had an incredibly LOUD hum, so I didn't leave it on more than a minute at a time. The record changer in it is indeed the RCA Victor original, but it appeared to be frozen. I tried to get it going, but I was unsuccessful. I also couldn't get the speed selector to move, why I don't know. I was going to take this unit apart and disassemble the turntable and the amplifier, but I don't want to mess with it, because I don't know much about this stuff, and I'm afraid that if I bother it, I will never be able to get it back together. I know how to take the components out of my "Stereo" the 1967 Magnavox. But I have had that for quite a few years now. Fortunately, I can use my stereo as it is, so I'm going to get the SHF-7 restored first.

If anybody can give me any info regarding the SHF-7 I would greatly appreciate it. When I first got it home I couldn't find the model number, but searched "RCA Orthophonic" on youtube, and one just like mine came up. It said the model was SHF-7 and sure enough, thats what it was. I found the model and serial number on the bottom of the unit. I put one of my records on and turned up the volume, and spun it around with my finger. I was very impressed with the sound. It goes nice and loud. I think when I am done with thing, it can sound just as good as my Magnavox Stereo, if not BETTER. It sounds so totally awesome. But not as good as the console model my great aunt has, which is an SHC-4. I am certain of the model number.

I want to know one thing. I would like to know which was better at the time. Lets say you had to compare with a 1961 Magnavox "Imperial Series" French Provincial (Model under concert grand) and an 1959 RCA Victor STEREO Orthophonic High Fidelity SHC-4. Which one would you say was better? and why. Back in the late 1950s and early 60s both RCA and Magnavox were both popular, and I just would like to know which is a better STEREO. I would appreciate it if someone could let me know. I did have a "Tube" unit Magnavox Console from 1962 and I loved it.
The stereo I have right now is an Astro-Sonic so it's solid state. But it still sounds awesome! and it will sound even better when I have it restored.

As for what I want to have done to the SHF-7, I want to get a new cartridge and needle for the record changer, and of course it's going to need to be lubed or whatever so it functions properly, and the amplifier totally restored. I am not going to have anything done with the cabinet because I think it's fine the way it is. Also, another thing I would like to know. In the back, there is a jack for an external speaker or a tape player. I was wondering if I could hook a CD player or an ipod up to this. If anyone knows the answer to this, please let me know.

Also, I would like to say again. If anyone has ANY information at all that you think might be helpful to me about the RCA SHF-7, please send me a private message to me on here, or write to my E-mail which is MJMShowBiz2004@Yahoo.com

I hope everyone had a nice holiday!

The rubber tire of the drive wheel in the record changer has probably disintegrated. The lube in the motor probably congealed too.

Th SHF-7 is strictly a monophonic player.
In its present state, it's not wise to plug it in until the amp chassis is restored, unless you want to plunk out a ton of money for fried transformers too.
The 6V6 output tubes have also gotten pricy to replace - so let it rest until such work is performed on it.
The record changer is notorious in those for becoming seized up due to old lubricants.
And the rubber parts deteriorate as well.

I've done lots of these restorations, and once finished, they sound great!

Thank you both for your input. I am not planning on messing with it again until I have it restored. It can be fixed right? Can the turntable be fixed or will I have to replace the changer entirely? I know tubes and transformers in those things can be expensive, so I guess they will just replace that stuff as needed. I just want it restored to the point where I can use it and enjoy it

Phonomike wrote:Thank you both for your input. I am not planning on messing with it again until I have it restored. It can be fixed right? Can the turntable be fixed or will I have to replace the changer entirely? I know tubes and transformers in those things can be expensive, so I guess they will just replace that stuff as needed. I just want it restored to the point where I can use it and enjoy it

The record changer certainly can be "fixed".
Every one I've done runs like a clock after proper service.
Your SHF7 has a powerful amplifier in it too, an upper-quality model.

Those players can last another 40-50 years!

I just bought one of these SHF-7 machines at a yard sale for $20. The lady had no idea what she had and I wasn't going to give her any ideas either. After a thorough cleaning and lube,and replacing the rotten motor mounts,the old thing fired right up. I had to adjust the speed selector linkage some as it seemed worn a little,but with a little coercion it came alive. It is in very good condition for it's age with no bad wood and even has the original legs.Can't seem to locate a manual for the thing,but I have rebuilt many other TT's and find this one rather easy to work on.

Oh gosh! I haven't even done anything with this thing since I got the 1960 Magnavox "Imperial" Stereo console off my neighbor. Once I found out I was getting it I've been neglecting the 2 RCA units I have. I feel bad cuz I really wanna get those two up and running but the Maggie Console is my first priority. Along with the "New Orthophonic" SHF 7 I also have a
"Stereo Orthophonic" SHP 12. I'm guessing the SHP 12 is better than the SHF 7. But not a whole lot beats the Maggie Console pictured here.

Phonomike wrote:Oh gosh! I haven't even done anything with this thing since I got the 1960 Magnavox "Imperial" Stereo console off my neighbor. Once I found out I was getting it I've been neglecting the 2 RCA units I have. I feel bad cuz I really wanna get those two up and running but the Maggie Console is my first priority. Along with the "New Orthophonic" SHF 7 I also have a
"Stereo Orthophonic" SHP 12. I'm guessing the SHP 12 is better than the SHF 7. But not a whole lot beats the Maggie Console pictured here.

The SHF-7 has a way better (and more powerful) amp chassis than the SHP-12.

This could be a very big job for someone. I'm also looking to have it proessionaly
restained. I'm not particularly fond of the ivory finish, and would very much like it
in a Cherry or Mahogany finish. But, that is down the road. I really can't wait to get
this stereo in my house and really enjoy it. Even though I'm not fond of the finish, it's
still okay, I can live with it for a while lol.

David144 wrote:This could be a very big job for someone. I'm also looking to have it proessionaly
restained. I'm not particularly fond of the ivory finish, and would very much like it
in a Cherry or Mahogany finish. But, that is down the road. I really can't wait to get
this stereo in my house and really enjoy it. Even though I'm not fond of the finish, it's
still okay, I can live with it for a while lol.

RCA Victor used a "photofinish" on a lot of their products, and if yours has that, it'll make refinishing extremely involved.
Unless you can be absolutely certain that it has "real wood veneer".

Hi Matt,
At least one process for that is still around--3M's "DiNoc". I had a friend who did it well--unfortunately, he passed away this year--but you can remove it, then use a "regular veneer". Ron Rich