RCA Console Amp - 1st Commercial STEREO Amplifier - Detailed Overhaul
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- Опубликовано: 27 авг 2024
- This is the second part of our 1958 RCA Stereo Orthophonic High Fidelity Console overhaul. In this part we will restore the amplifier, a SHP-8 Stereo 6V6 amp with single-ended output and a curious, mono speaker setup. We'll make a couple modifications and additions along the way. Grab the popcorn, it's a long one!
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I love the way you bring old units back from the dead and make them work again, these things have much more character than the plastic systems you get today.
My mother probably had a hand in the production of that unit as she worked at the RCA plant in Camden, NJ during the period of its production. Very cool to see it still serving. A testament to the way things used to be in this country before corporate greed and planned obsolescence.
Very cool. Thanks for sharing that.
Yeah, but planned obsolescence isn’t that new. See Singer sewing mach...
Wrong.
Right.
@@TheGuitologist my question to you sir is what was your exact inspiration and getting into tube amplifiers? Did you actually go to technical school to learn to work on these Electronics? One of my big Inspirations was my father he was a musician when I was a child he had a Fender Twin Reverb with two jbl's in it and it was so so loud and Powerful... man that twin had so much punch in😄 power it left a hell of an impression on me as a kid
Bradford! So glad you got a gig like this. Don't get me wrong, I love the amps, especially the treat at the end with some bluesy chops! But this job is going to be really cool for the customer. Tube tech meets bluetooth... You gotta love it!!!
I remember my dad letting me hold the button when we went to the electronics store and tested tubes on the store’s tester for the tvs and radios he fooled with and rebuilt back in the 50’s. What a memory! Thanks for it!
Wow look how far we have come in 60 years Amazing..fantastic video Brad
I would say we've gone downhill since then but yeah :)
Very good job Brad..!! Working on 10 pounds of electronics stuffed in a 5 pound box took a good surgeon!! Glad you put on a 3 prong power cord at the end..!!
I had an amplifier like that back in the 70's very good sounding amp
Last week I did my first soldering project. I had to replace the usb port on my audio interface. I was afraid I messed up because I burned the board a little bit when desoldering but my interface now works so I can record guitar and stuff again. It feels good to have fixed something
Haha Rab Feenie, you are only as old as you feel. Thank you for the kind words, they are appreciated. Good vibes
Great job! It's an addictive feeling.
Hey Brad - just a note on the tube tester. What you are supposed to do is set A,B, C, and D (as you did), then turn on the tester (push the white button) and one at a time, throw each of the other un-used levers to test. So in this case, all of them except 2, 9, and 10 (see below). If the light comes on, then the filament is shorted, however the chart is telling you that lever 5 (in this case), it's supposed to light up, since it's the other end of the filament. Keep in mind that each lever corresponds to a pin, so for example, on an 8 pin tube, you don't have to throw levers 9 and 10. (10 corresponds to one of the wire clips if the tube had a cap)
I really liked your idea of putting the caps in the old can. Maybe a hole saw to bore out the inside and clamp the can in a vise. Your hands are valuable. 😎🎸
i had an amplifier like that many years ago. it sounded quite good
Spring time in the Midwest. Tornados, power outages, and time to mow the grass, or smoke it! Fun times! I was surprised you did not convert the amp into true stereo. A little retiring on the output section and separate speaker wires. You know what you are doing for your customer. The Bluetooth will be great. I am interested in seeing how that is works. Thank you Brad for sharing. Another great look at retro repair and update mods! Thanxz
Think that is planned for part 3, I'm waiting to see which turntable he picks :)
Pure entertainment. great to see these flashes in time refurbished and put back to work. so many things have been tossed over the years only to discover how damn cool these components are. man, those tubes!!! still functional, according to the tester! Amazing. 1958!!! 60 years. It was components like these that helped start the Japanese electronic companies of the 60's.
Great vid as usual. Brought back a childhood memory. I remember when our tube television had problems he would open the back remove the tubes and we would drive to our local Safeway grocery store. There they had a tube tester. He would test each tube and if one was bad they had replacements right there in the tester cabinet. A different time for sure.
I just found this video. Excellent. I recently purchased the cabinet for this same unit. Unfortunately it was gutted but I love the cabinet and the history. I am planning to install and early 80s turntable and a small amp with Bluetooth. For speakers am plan to use some Definitive Technology pro 1000 book shelf to keep the cost down. One of my challenges is how to replace the missing lamp. I will figure something out. Thanks for the video.
That tube tester is fucking cool dude !
When in doubt, drill it out! I'm planning on recaping an old Zenith stereo record player this coming winter. Thank you for recording this.
Brad, Thanks for showing the detailed work you need to do along with what you'll need to do (in the next video?). Seeing how you combine the bluetooth with the tube amp is going to be fun (& educational) to watch!
I have a stereo tube amp from when stereo was still a luxury, 1963 Tandberg Huldra 7
i had an amplifier just like that it had a beautiful tone
Nice work, the tube tester is pretty neat too, it even has a rimlock socket.
It'll test pretty much everything. You just have to find the settings for some tubes like the EL34.
"It's Log, it's Log, it's big and heavy and wood. It's Log, it's Log, it's better than bad, it's good!"
The longevity of those tubes is amazing
Careful holding a metal object while drilling into it. I have the scars and stitch marks from doing exactly that. Once the bit grabbed purchase the object I was holding essentially became a large hole saw bit and bite it did. Totally foreseeable and yet I did it anyway. ;-( I was working in a hospital already so the walk to the ER wasn't too far. :\
Been waiting for this to come out, and it just so happened to come out when I have 45 minutes to spare ;)
Thanks for showing the tube tester! I can see the point that the operating voltages are not the same as in the amp.
Hi I’m a tube tester snob I have seven including one of these this is a emission type and well done this is a great quick check but if you want to get real you need a trans conductor type which measures in Mu but your right that in the amp is the best test but no numbers
Wow u got that microscopic camera working pretty good. That’s nice.
Try a big ole heat gun to see if it will loosen the innards of those can caps.
Very cool.
Yeah, those "Good-All" caps do hold up well, in my experience; something about what they are impregnated and/or coated with, I reckon.
Just a thought - You could rewire the internal speakers so each woofer/tweeter pair were driven by separate channels. You'd need a couple 4uF nonpolar crossover caps to replace the single 8uF that was shown in the Sams schematic. Channel separation wouldn't be too good, however.
Oh man...with this thing someone could have had the first ever possible stereo guitar amp. With an extension cab this could have been cool as all get out.
Hmm - I have an idea... since the external speaker isn't available, why not modify the internal speakers to stereo? There are 2 woofers and 2 tweeters already, and those outward firing tweeters might give some stereo effect.
Yeah Dude. That would make a great video....you doing maintenance on that ol’ tester.
i made a rather cool bluetooth mod for my tube amp by taking a torch, and removing the bottom of a old burned out tube and building the bluetooth receiver into the old tube housing has the same socket as the 8 Pin diode and 6v6 tubes
great stuff as always but the filter capacitors trigger the hell outta me to be honest. why go through the whole thing and get the second one right and look almost original and then wrap aluminum tape around it??? this thing is one of the first stereo systems in the world, why not rip out the base of the caps and install new ones? this tape thing is bugging me haha. other than that, good job ;)
Back in the day, my TV repairman friend bought an old tube tester at an auction that was from a Rexall drug store that people used to use to test their own tubes and buy new ones .He had his personal tube tester and he showed me how the drug store tube tester always showed quite a bit lower. not sure if that was actuate. Anyways i guess i am lucky RUclips gave me a notice you posted a video, as 95% of my subs i have clicked the bell on, i don't get notifications on.
Getting some gray there buddy. Happens sooner than you think. Great video as always.
It's falling out too. Sheesh. The thought of not being sexy anymore scares me. :D
G'day, Brad! Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy. - "The Red Green Show" Cheers! 😊✌🏼📻
Surprised you didn't no how to clean out the cans, hot water or heat is your friend. But great video😀
That's true, but this stuff is toxic and I'm not about to start cooking it in my house with my kids around.
A red plated tube if caught in time will not be damaged ... I had a horizonal output tube on a TV red plate ... it was fine to use and is still being used ...
Those white ceramic capacitors are notorious for failure.
heat the outside of the can with a small torch for a bit, then the guts will usually pull right out .
i had a lead snap off an electrolytic capacitor [with radial leads]on my Astro sonic so i just replaced it with an axial lead
where's shitpost Friday??? its one of the only things keeping me going here dude!!! argghhh...
Nice bit of wrenching bro, looking forward to more on this. ATB
Makes me wonder if RCA thought you couldn’t get detectable stereo out of those speakers mounted so close together. I also wonder if they wired that in mono but sold it as stereo as a selling point for the optional speaker box. I really however have to remember I was alive back then and there was almost no stereo content available at the time.
I think I missed something !! The first capacitor can you replaced looked like it contained 4 capacitors (4 contacts on the base & 4 cap readings on the side of the can). But you only put in 2 new Caps. Did you add 2 more caps under the chassis that you didn't discuss?
I love the picture in picture for the work stuff! That new cam looks really good. It's very sharp and detailed with you digging around in that amp. Is the same camera doing both close up and wide? If so, how does that work? High rez cam and zoom in the edit? It is interesting that the color temperature is not exactly the same between the two images if you are pulling a zoomed in frame size from the same camera. Also, the focus when you put stuff close to the camera was fast and accurate like you had a professional AC pulling focus on it. The cam automatically focused back down to the amp very quickly and naturally. Money well spent my man.
Better every watch you are awsome Ologist at the craft of Yodatronics...t.m... ya man from CANADA BUDDY !!! XOXO
To empty those big electrolytic cap tops i have seen Buzz1151 heat them with heat gun then insert a wine bottle corkscrew, and pull that stuff all right out. They have a bit of tar in them i think that needs to be heated for easy release.
Also even if those old white caps you left in test good, there to old, how much longer will they really last. You should have taken them out on a customers amp so they don’t have to worry about it for 40-50 years. If it was your own amp do what you want. Easy fix for you, inconvenient hassle for them if it goes out with new regular use. Sorry for the negative comment I usually like all your work.
Is there any way rewire the internal speakers as stereo off that amp? They even directionalized the tweeters.... still can’t believe it’s mono speaker! Needs to be rich stereo sound from that single beautiful retro cabinet. :)
*SPOILER ALERT* I end up doing that in the end. The console is done and filmed, just need to edit the last video. That's one of the things I end up doing. Good call! ;)
Awesome! Bet it sounds wonderful.
How is the balance between the 2 channels, volume/tone etc. Do the 2 channels sound about right ?
@@TheGuitologist is the last video available? Would love to see the final restored product!
Great again, thank yoo !!
When soldering the components like in this video,what temperature is your iron set at in Celsius? Im still new to soldering so I've tried 350 to 400 and 400 really gets the job done lol
got an pm-19 on my bench
cool video. Say, those generic caps you buy.. how do you know where the foil end is? so that there not put in backwards.
Its log its log its big its heavy its wood. Its log its log its better than bad its good!
i added bluetooth to a 48 zenith...pretty cool
I tried it the other day with my niece's 30s radio. Results were not great. Video to come soon.
@@TheGuitologist i used rec 5.0 from ebay .??10$ sat on side turntable.combined output via 1 to 10k 1/4 watt resistor divider
Hi tHE Guitologist, very good video that you have made of the Bluetooth KRC-86B V4.0.
I am writing to you because I am trying to install it on a Yamaha PSR-2000 musical keyboard, so far it turns on well, the LED, connects directly without the need for security like the other bluetooth, example "0000".
But my concern is that the music does not sound, there is no audio. It will be that you can help me, I am waiting for your response, thank you.
Hey Brad,do you have a vid where you open up a transformer to show what's inside ?! I'll bet thats nasty and messy inside as well!
Was there ever a follow up video to this one?
i had a Magnavox Imperial with a pair of wires like that the man who had it before told me it was made for a two piece console
I wouldn't exactly call Mp3 a "Leap". More like a convenience. A lot of what I listen to is on Mp3 for that reason. I used to work in a loud environment and quantity trumped quality.
Honestly, the last significant milestone for home audio was the compact disc.
After that, audio quality was traded for more portability with MP3s and such. I don't count SACD or DVD audio because honestly, the differences from regular CDs are so subtle that only 0.1% of the people in the entire world could even tell the difference.
Geez, Brad....It's impressive that the original tubes are still good, but i'm not sure I'd call it 'miraculous!' Remember two things: 1. These come from an era when, unlike today's throw-away, planned obsolescence technology, things were made to last, and manufacturers' reputations were built on product quality and durability. and 2. None of the tubes that you find in these older circuits ever take the merciless beating that guitar amp tubes are subjected to (not to mention that newer tube amps are designed for optimum results, without regard for longevity beyond a couple of years. Younger generations have been taught that power tubes, in particular, have a finite, relatively short lifespan.). Stop to think about how many old (like tweed old) tube amps are still using their original tubes....even after being biased too hot, etc.!! That, if anything, might be examples of 'miracles!' :-)
More to the point, tubes, unlike transistors, can take a beating - at least for awhile. As long as you don't run the tube with red plates too long, it will survive.
Very true! Transistors have no sense of humor whatsoever!! LOL My point, though, was that it's actually true when they say, "They don't make 'em like they used to!" I was six years old when this thing hit the streets, and I can remember, a couple of years later, one of my uncles buying a stereo console half the size of an aircraft carrier!! The sound, though, compared to anything we'd ever heard before, was amazing...and that monster survived, down in his 'rec room,' fully functional until (at least) he passed away a few years ago. By comparison, I just put a matched sextet of KT-88s into my SVT because they had begun to die, one by one, rendering the amp pretty useless...and the 'old' tubes were only about six years old!! Meanwhile, I have a '71 Super Reverb that had to be re-capped, but is still running the original tubes!! Whenever possible, I'd much rather buy genuine NOS than brand new.
If you noted in the first video, due to the red plating, he was concerned that the 5Y3 and the can capacitor were both shorted, most likely one causing the other. Just because old tubes were built to last (which a vintage amplifier tech is well aware of) doesn't mean it's invincible to a shorted filter capacitor.
No, it's not invincible. The concern is understandable, but he was surprised that that it was good. I wouldn't have been surprised either way.
Most of the tubes I use in my own personal amps(guitar & Hi-Fi) are around 50 years old. They all test like new in my Orange VT-1000 Valve Tester, Vacuum Tube Valley Tube Characterizer and old Mercury 1500 tube tester.
I hope there's gonna be part 3 to this retro-mod. Are you going rewire the internal speakers to stereo? Great video, as always. **Edit** Just read your spoiler alert.
20/20 500V can caps are readily available from CE Dist. Do it right.
Are you going to do more on the turntable
What about a REVOX B790 plays records the way the master was cut
I’m curious to know what turntable you replaced that one with.
I still can't wrap my head around the Int/Int & Ext switch. Strange stuff going on there. BTW, that 1/4 jack isn't for headphone - according to the drawing, it's to connect the internal speakers to a external amp. No idea who would do that unless it was the showroom using it as a external speaker for another system.
Are the red capacitors what i hear called cherry drops?
Anyone know what the RCA design were smokin' back in the day ?
strange the 5y3 tested good after red-plating
is that aluminum tape the type used on heat ducts?
Yes.
you forgot to turn line off
This was a good one. Thanks! Do you think modern tubes would have held up as long as those? I always buy old tubes and sometimes I wonder if I should just start buying modern ones. I read about people replacing tubes every year or so but sometimes I buy a 70 year old guitar amp with what appears to be original tubes that work great.
No, modern tubes will not hold up that long, nor will they sound as good. All you have to do is listen with your ears to realize they don't sound as good, and look at them to see that they're not built as well.
What determines how big your electrolytic caps need to be. I don't think I have heard anyone talk about this. I think most people go by a old schematic, but this does not tell why this size is used.
The values are on the side of the can.
Your missing my point, What determines what size cap you use. Example: You are building an amp you designed. How do you know what size capacitor to use.
@ The Guitologist
Hey man I have built my own Tube amp and I am wanting to add a VU meter to it.. I have the VU meter already but lacking a tube circuit to drive that circuit.. Do you have a schematic for this? I can find Transistor controlled ones but I want to use a tube or two to drive the VU meter can you help??
ALWAYS replace capacitors One at a time. .
So, I have got one of these. Do you want to restore mine? Nope not kidding . . .
Why not use new can caps! Remember when you get an amp in shipment and you frequently say wtf after first looking at it noting who worked on this thing!
Because new cans are about $30-$40 and these are more like $5.
About your Variac.....has the 5 amp model been enough or have you ever wished you'd bought the 10 amp? Thanks.
The 5A will cover every guitar amplifier I know about. No amp I've ever worked on even had anything above a 4A fuse, IIRC.
This is the one I use, just different color: -5A Variac: amzn.to/2FNWthU
Well this was certainly worth the wait, curious how do you test the couplets mentioned at 28:26 and what are they for?
I don't! I just play music through it and see if there's an issue. If it sounds like there's an issue, I'll build out the couplet with discreet components.
Ment to say, good choice with Boston - Don't Look Back, how many have figured out its not a UFO on cover but a guitar ;-)
Hello, im Facundo from Argentina...I recently adquier 3 speakers and one amp from old image and sound projectors, the amp and one cabinet with the original speaker its a RCA, the speaker its 10" and 8ohms, i think 15w, and the other two speakers are one Jensen with the cabinet from Bell & Howell 12" 16ohms and 15w, and the last dont have cabinet yet but its a Goodmans 60 12" 16ohms and 15watts to...My question is about the wattage of this old amps from the projectors, i cant get the schematics and i am very new in electronics, do you know if this speakers can handle ok with this kind of amps? the 3 are 15watts speakers, i dont want to brake nothing...Well thank u very much!
What turn table did you go with I'm interested in doing a swap like that.
Many late 50's records were very good. The turntables were dreadful. As such, many of the old LPs have been wrecked by the old turntables. Some thankfully survive unscathed.
is a 6CG7 a dual or single triode?
I have my money on they will be good on 80%of those ttubes.
No shit post friday? idk bout the other mic.. i guess i hate change lol. i think the camera mic is better. the other mic is too compressed 4 me. cheers brad ;-p have a great day ;-p
The first mic in this video is a cheap Logitech USB "Rock Band" mic. Did that in post production. After that I switch to the Shure Beta 87A overhead.
REALLY? cause in previous vids i know u used the rock band mic but it also sounded like the other mic u asked ur subs about the sound. but yeah "do whatcha like" but the start off mic made my ears cringe. oh and the zip tie strain relief is suposed to be on the inside right? I mean it's not going to be pushed in to much. ltr buddy ;-p
dude?? is that your music at the end of this vid?
is a 6CG7 a preamp tube?
Awesome video as always! What's the song in the end?
That's a clip from Electric Tooth Syndrome cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit". I remade the entire album. ruclips.net/video/p4TwOGTmFEQ/видео.html
Nice, thanks for your response :)
Livingston and Bell had stereo amps in 1953, 1954. Nevertheless, great video, thank you for sharing.
I'm considering getting a dremel or something similar. are they very expensive?
The attachments can get expensive, but you can get off brand stuff too that isn’t.
You could of used a heat gun to get the guts out of the can. You should of used radial caps instead.
where do you get the aluminum tape? i need some
Harbor Freight
How did find VOLTRONS brain module ??
What happened to Shitpost Friday? I missed it! Looks like you might have had your hands full with this one!
SPF cancelled because of a freak storm on Thurs which knocked out my power for about 24 hours.
Wow! Bummer! You made up for it though with this one.
That really sucks. Up here where I am in Indiana, the power went out several times. So, it wasn't as bad as that.
I got video of the tree over the power lines. I might include clips in next week's SPF.
Nice!! Like you said "she's not pretty" but....
There was an external speaker which made it stereo.
Research the history of stereo and rca corporation .
Restors that old " dead on" ROFLMAO 😅