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Zenith HP5-806 New Member

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:37 pm
by Savage1
I have a tube type Zenith HP5-806 . It is stereo. The left channel works good. The right is weak at full volume you can hear it but it is noisy and sort of surges. I am a dunce about this, but it was cheap so I am trying to fix. I have the turntable working fine. :D But there is dead channel. I see 4 tubes. they have zenith #s that came off. A paper says 2=6AQ54, 1=12AX7 and 1=6X4. I assume the 2 are amp tubes. I switch them and same problem. Either tube will work left channel. Neither will work right. I assume those tubes good? Can either of the other tubes cause this problem? I have checked both speakers and they both work. I took off cartridge and reinstalled. Still same. Can the cartridge cause this?
Howdy from new user, hope to make friends :D

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 8:09 am
by Record-changer
The tubes are:

6AQ5A Power amp (That's an A, not a 4)

12AX7 Dual preamp (two amps in one package)

6X4 Power supply.

Some possible causes:

- The pickup cartridge has failed. Crystal and ceramic cartridges absorb moisture and fail over time.

- Oxidized tube pins not making contact.

- Half of the 12AX7 is weak,

- Half of the 12AX7 filament burned out. There are two filaments in the tube, They are wired in parallel for 6 volts, or in series for 12 volts. Your other tubes are 6 volts, so the 12AX7 filaments are probably in parallel.

- One speaker is bad.

- Other components for the 6AQ5 or 12AX7 circuitry faiked. Check the values of the resistors.

- Shorted coax.

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:24 pm
by Savage1
Record Changer :D
Man you were right. I thought about the cartridge and took it off and reinstalled. But on closer examination the white wire was not well connected. The terminal was on by a thread, and the terminal did not fit tight to cartridge. I redid it and 2 channels :D
It was nice that you answered and helped. I really do appreciate it. You seem to know a heap on electronics. Thanks again!
Fred Warsaw IN :D