For replacement needles.
For replacement needles.
To answer a few questions:
-It does not have a "tape" input, unfortunately, so no aux-in for me. A lot of the older console stereos do, but not this guy. Only expansion of any kind that it has is a plug for the optional FM Multiplex unit, which is a proprietary Westinghouse thing. Plug is more like a car wiring harness connector than an audio input.
-It appears to have a diamond tip stylus, not sure about the cartridge. The paperwork it came with included the packaging for the stylus, which indicates that it is a diamond one.
-I would like to keep it as original as possible, aside from the dangerous stuff. After thinking about it, we have like 15 other ways to play Bluetooth stuff around the house, so I'm not sure this needs to do that as well. If it's an easy mod, I may be open to it, but the thing works so well now I probably shouldn't mess with it.
Sams Photofacts are still available for these things and would be useful if you dig into it: https://www.samswebsite.com/en/photofact/search?t=model&o=0&k=h-m171&submit=Search&s=Search
The FM mulitplex was an external box that took the FM stereo signal and split it into left/right. The proprietary connector probably has connections for in/out (left/right) and power for the unit. I was thinking it would be possible to tap in there and add a stereo input, but that's probably a bad idea on a live chassis system, and you're working around high voltage with signal level inputs. Could do it with an isolation transformer. Never mind...
Tubes are usually readily available from Tube Depot, Antique Electronic Supply, etc. (google for more) and da Bay. I've got a couple of boxes of them and might have what you need if there's something you can't readily find, but I won't have access to them until maybe April.
In reply to jwagner (Forum Supporter) :
Yeah, with the hot chassis situation, it's probably safest to leave well enough alone. I am going to try and get some more pics of the internals in the next few days.
I found myself at my house tonight checking on things, and had to move the stereo to the 2nd floor. So after that was done, I took some time to do some testing and investigation. First, let's check out the inside of this old beast.
The inside of this unit is in shockingly incredible condition. Not a speck of dust anywhere! The stuff that looks like dust on the bottom is actually the wood finish. I inspected the speakers, and they look perfect with no tears at all.
Underside of the turntable. There was still good grease on some of the bits, but I do need to fully lube the thing (more on this in a bit).
Here's the "business side" of the unit. The circuit board hangs vertically below the controls, and upon close inspection, everything looks good. No bulging bits or burst capacitors leaking. Again, this was manufactured in 1961!
The two pronged thing on the top is where the power comes in. The backboard actually has the power cable built in, and when its bolted on, the connector sits on those prongs. You can also see the connector on the left for the FM Multiplex unit that this doesn't have.
The stylus has definitely been replaced and is in good shape. It's double sided, with one side for LPs and 45's, and the other with a larger needle for 78's.
The first thing I tried was the most period-correct record I had. Felt like I should have been drinking scotch while listening to this!
Second thing I played was Van Halen's 1984. This has been my stereo test album since my dad and I bought a giant Fisher sound system back in 1988. Every stereo I've dragged home since gets to play this as a test. Also simulates going to visit grandma after going to the Record Town in the local mall in 1984 and playing your new Van Halen album on her old stereo! I did notice while playing this one that the turntable was playing a tad slow. As I played the record, it seemed to come around, but I'll be lubing all the things soon.
Here's the stuff it came with. Incredible that this still exists. The top pic has the original warranty card, manual, and paperwork/packaging for the stylus. Pretty sure this has a ceramic cart, but that's ok.
I feel like Don Draper from Mad Men wrote this thing.
"Got a problem? Call your operator and SHE will connect you to your nearest service center." It was a different time, alright.
Overall, very happy with this purchase. Records do in fact play in stereo, and man, does it sound fantastic for what it is. The turntable takes some getting used to, since it doesn't have auto-return (or it's not functioning correctly) and it needs some servicing, but it tracks perfectly mostly does what it should. Not bad for it being sold as non-working!
Aside from turntable servicing, I plan on leaving this alone. It's too clean and works way too well to mess with.
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