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Philco 46-1203 Phono Cartridge - Printable Version

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Philco 46-1203 Phono Cartridge - David B - 01-29-2008

Hi: Newbie question, staring a restoration of a 46 1203, working on the turntable. No sound from the record cartridge, will be replacing the cap. a .03 mfd. But how and what else can I check to find the problem. Details on diagnosing the problem are greatly appreciated.

God Bless,

Dave

(subject edited by site admin to eliminate confusion between this and another posting)

- Harlan - 02-02-2008

Hi Dave,
I'm brand new here so not familiar yet with the various old radios.

Having serviced electronics since the 60's though, I'm assuming you
have a bad "cartridge" or "pickup" in the tonearm of the turntable.

You can find out if the input to the radio/amplifier is good by subbing
in the output of a cd player or some other audio source. Use the earphone output jack and connect to the input of your unit you are trying to restore.
It may work but the volume could be about right or too high (sounds distorted then) If it is still very low or not there at all, you may have a problem with the preamp stage (tube) of the radio/amplifier input.. or.. both that and a bad cartridge.

Depending on the age of this unit, it may use a crystal cartridge (just a guess) which have a faily high level output compared to the ceramic of later years and the "dynamic" used in recent years higher end products which is a very weak output needing additional boost - that's getting off the point, sorry.
I think there are a few sources for some of these old cartridges but all depends on what you may need. I'm not very familiar again with what is used in these old timers or what can be still be found. Have to search the various web sources of the antigue radio supplies/parts.

Best regards,
Harlan

Repair - David B - 02-02-2008

THanks for the infor, I give it a try.

- Ron Ramirez - 02-03-2008

Without looking this model up, I believe it uses a crystal pickup; these usually go bad, resulting in no response.

West-Tech Services can make your old crystal cartridge like new again.
http://www.west-techservices.com/

Philco - David B - 02-03-2008

Thanks Ron, I apprecaite it.

God Bless,

Dave B